Djamel Belmadi, the coach of Algeria’s national football team, departs from his position following their elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations, culminating in a 1-0 defeat to Mauritania.
Algeria’s national football team faces a significant shakeup as coach Djamel Belmadi steps down following their elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The decision comes in the aftermath of a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Mauritania, marking Algeria’s early exit from the tournament.
Belmadi, who led the team to victory in the 2019 Cup of Nations, conveyed his resignation to the players in the changing room, subsequently reaching an agreement with the Algerian football federation to terminate his contract.
Algerian federation president Walid Sadi expressed gratitude for Belmadi’s contributions, stating, “We thank the coach for everything he has done for the team and wish him good luck for the rest of his career.”
Despite the previous success in 2019, Belmadi’s recent tenure saw Algeria finishing at the bottom of their group in two consecutive Cup of Nations editions and failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Known for his emotive touchline presence, Belmadi’s squad, considered formidable, struggled in the current Cup of Nations, drawing with Angola and Burkina Faso before suffering a surprising loss to Mauritania. The coach reflected on the challenges, emphasizing the unpredictability of football.
Belmadi, born in France but a former player for Algeria with a notable club career, maintained his position amid setbacks, losing only seven of 67 matches since his appointment in 2018.
His departure adds to a series of coaching changes at the tournament, including the resignations of Tom Saintfiet (Gambia) and the sackings of Chris Hughton (Ghana) and Jean-Louis Gasset (Ivory Coast).
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