The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has said it is postponing its search for a new national team coach to allow club coaches to concentrate on the national league competitions.

Following the African Nations Cup, the EFA had nominated three foreign coaches to take charge, including the current China team coach Bora Milutinovic.

However, Milutinovic's fee of $1 million was refused by the country's Minister of Youth, Dr Ali El Din Hilal.

The EFA have now chosen instead to eventually appoint an Egyptian national.

But as the three main candidates are all currently in charge of club sides, they will wait until the season ends on 15 July before approaching the issue.

This may mean it is August before it is resolved.

Favourite for the job is former national team coach Mohsen Saleh, who is currently training top of the league club Ismailia.

However, former Egypt assistant coach Anwar Salama, now at Masri, and another former head coach, Farouk Gaafar, who is in charge of Mahalla, are also believed to be in the running.