A former Al Ahly star has claimed that Percy Tau was treated so poorly by manager Marcel Koller that the South African even resorted to seeing a psychiatrist.
Earlier this month, Tau parted ways with Al Ahly, ending his three-and-a-half-year association with the Egyptian club.
His exit from the club came as no surprise, though, as it had been reported for several months that his future in Cairo was uncertain.
Read: 'Al Ahly are in crisis after loss to Pirates'
Furthermore, there were widespread reports that his relationship with his then-manager Koller was strained, with the Swiss tactician evidently relegating Tau to a more fringe role in the first half of this season.
It was also reported that Koller was keen to bring in new foreign reinforcements, and Tau's exit would provide room for such signings to be made.
Eventually, Tau left Al Ahly a few weeks ago to join Qatar SC.
A former player of the Egyptian giants, Amr El-Hadidi, has now lifted the lid on what actually happened in the days leading up to Tau's exit.
In statements made on the Kalam Fi El Kora programme on the Al-Hadath Al-Youm channel, El-Hadidi said: "Percy Tau went to a psychiatrist due to Koller's treatment.
"The player wanted to participate as a regular starter, but the Swiss coach treated him poorly, which is why he preferred to leave Al-Ahly."
El-Hadidi added: "Al-Ahly achieved numerous titles under Koller, but there are mistakes. The management presents the Swiss coach with many players daily, but he rejects all of them."
Notably, Tau is yet to express any words of discontent regarding his relationship with Koller.
Read: BREAKING: Manchester City announce 2nd signing
By Lukhanyo Mtuta
Follow him here on X