CAIRO - Egyptian champions Zamalek have parted ways with Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira for the second time in less than two months.

Zamalek announced the termination of the 76-year-old's contract by mutual consent on Wednesday after exiting the African Champions League at the group stage for the third season in a row.

Zamalek had sacked Ferreira on Jan. 24 following a poor run of results in the Egyptian League but the former Porto, Benfica and Sporting coach returned to the club within a week due to their inability to pay the penalty clause in his contract.

But after two wins in nine games, Ferreira's third spell with Zamalek has ended with the club fifth in the table, 11 points adrift of leaders Al-Ahly having played two games more.

Fan favourite Ferreira twice won the league title and Egyptian Cup at Zamalek.

His first term lasted just a few months in 2015, despite winning the league, after a dispute with club President Mortada Mansour, who is known for frequently changing coaches and reinstated him to the position last year.

Mansour is serving a one-month prison sentence for defamation after insulting Mahmoud Al-Khatib, president of rival club Al-Ahly.

(Reporting by Ahmed Khashab; Writing by Ahmed Mostafa; Editing by Ken Ferris)