Salah faced a tough decision as Egypt hired a legend who disapproved of Ace Afcon's exit

MOHAMED SALAH faces an awkward encounter following Eygpt's decision to hire Hossam Hassan.

The Pharaohs hired the national legend to replace Rui Vitoria after their departure from Afcon.

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Egypt were eliminated from Afcon in the last 16 after a shock defeat to DR Congo.

Salah, 31, has wished the Portuguese manager well on social media following his departure.

He wrote: “Thanks for everything, coach. I wish you the best in the future.”

Victoria's departure came as a bit of a surprise as he had only lost one match during his time in charge.

While it appears that Salah had a good relationship with the former Benfica and Al-Nassr boss, it is likely that there could be some friction with his replacement.

Hassan, 57, was hired by the Pharaohs as technical director but will move into the role of manager.

The former striker is a legend for Egypt as he has scored 68 goals and is the all-time top scorer, with Salah trailing him 12 times.

During Afcon he worked as a pundit and was unimpressed with Salah's decision to return to Liverpool.

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The striker had suffered a hamstring injury against Ghana and returned to Merseyside for rehabilitation.

Hassan said: “If Salah feels he wants to travel, he should travel and not return to the national team because the injury is not serious; he needs physiotherapy which is available with the national team.

“A hamstring injury does not require extensive facilities in Liverpool.

“Big clubs always send doctors and physiotherapists with top players to these tournaments, and in Liverpool they know that if Salah needs something, they will send doctors to him.

“Salah, despite his great value, should remain with the national team both morally and psychologically.

“It affects other teams that he can join at any time, but his departure will affect Egypt negatively and the opponents positively.”

This is not the first managerial problem Salah has faced recently, with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp announcing he would be stepping down at the end of the season.

Hassan, a three-time Afcon winner as a player, continued to reveal how he would handle the situation.

He added: “If I was the manager of Egypt and he told me he wanted to travel to Liverpool, I would tell him to continue there and we have capable men in the national team.

“Salah is one of the best individuals to achieve globally for Egypt, but the national team is a common thread for everyone.

“Even if you are injured and cannot play, you play an important role from both a technical and moral perspective.”

Salah will make a decision on his international future after Hassan's arrival, especially if the environment is not inviting.

This year's tournament has seen a number of other shock eliminations, with the likes of Senegal, Cameroon and Morocco all suffering early exits.

DR Congo was one of the surprise teams to reach the semi-finals against host country Ivory Coast.

Star player and former West Ham defender Arthur Masuaku scored a stunning free-kick in the quarter-final.

Cape Verde also punched above their weight before being knocked out by South Africa in the quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout.