Another method to get the head out is to not even worry about the EGR pipe and pull out the entire head/intake/exhaust assy as a unit.

It's heavier this way and you'll probably want to use an engine hoist, or a 2nd person. But it'll come right out.

You can reinstall it as an assy, too. There should be some old posts by Jerry Lemond here regarding using a couple of cut-off head bolts (or equivalent) at the back of the block, as alignment guides when you drop the head onto the block.

Once you have the head out of the vehicle, you may have better luck dealing with the EGR pipe.

HTH & G'luck.........ed