By Amr Shaheen BBC Sport Online in Cairo

The Brazilian legend Carlos Alberto Torres has pulled out of his deal to coach Egyptian giants Zamalek at the last minute.

The former Nigeria and Oman coach failed to arrive at the press conference at which he was scheduled to be formally announced as boss of one of Africa's most successful teams.

He informed Zamalek's officials that he had received offers from clubs in Argentina, Greece and Saudi Arabia and would turn Zamalek down unless they increased his monthly salary from US $10,000 to US $30,000.

The officials appear to have refused.

Great pressure

Similar financial disagreements meant the club failed to sign German coach Bertrand Krausen, the former boss of the Tunisian national team.

But while Zamalek remain without anyone in charge, Kamal Darweish, the club's president, denied any negotiations with the club's former coach Otto Pfeister.

Pfeister is instead on his way to sign a new contract with the Tunisian side CS Safaxien.

Zamalek's officials are now under tremendous pressure to name a new coach quickly, with only three weeks until the team face ASEC Mimosas from Ivory Coast in the opening match of the group stage of the Caf Champions League.