Newly-appointed manager Hossam El-Badri revealed that he may change Ahly's playing system, not ruling out a return to the 3-5-2 previously used by Manuel Jose.
After succeeding Dutch manager Martin Jol at the helm last month, El-Badri took charge of Ahly's first training on Friday, nearly two weeks before the start of the new Egyptian league season.
"It's quite possible that I may change the team's playing formation from 4-2-3-1 to either 4-4-2 or 3-5-2," El-Badri told reporters.
Ex-manager Jol had usually deployed a 4-2-3-1 format, with Hossam Ashour and skipper Hossam Ghaly sitting in front of the team's defense.
Ahly are believed to have the resources needed should El-Badri elect for a return to 3-5-2, a system which saw Ahly dominate Egypt and Africa under the Portuguese tactician Jose.
With Ahly boasting four centre-backs in Rami Rabia, Ahmed Hegazy, Saad Samir and Mohamed Naguib, El-Badri should face no problems selecting three at the back.
The presence of Ali Maaloul, Sabri Rahil and Bassem Ali would also give him freedom in using anyone of them as wing-back, given their capacity to fly forward while having extra coverage at the back.
It remains to be seen how El-Badri, who takes charge of the Reds for the third stint, would shape the club, with the team's faithful widely disgruntled with their side's performance last season despite winning the league.
