Algeria part company with coach Djamel Belmadi after group-stage exit

Algeria have parted company with coach Djamel Belmadi, a day after the team’s humiliating exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. Their shock 1-0 loss to Mauritania on Tuesday meant the 2019 winners finished bottom of Group D. Algeria were also knocked out of the 2021 finals at the group stage. […]

Algeria have parted company with coach Djamel Belmadi, a day after the team’s humiliating exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Their shock 1-0 loss to Mauritania on Tuesday meant the 2019 winners finished bottom of Group D. Algeria were also knocked out of the 2021 finals at the group stage.

Belmadi, 47, took over as coach of the Desert Foxes in August 2018 and signed a contract extension a year ago to remain in the post until 2026.

Born in Paris, Belmadi captained Algeria at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations and, as coach, he guided his country to the Afcon title in 2019 in Egypt amid a 35-match unbeaten run which set an African record.

But their defence of the trophy in Cameroon two years ago was short-lived as they finished bottom of their group.

Just three months later Algeria also failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, losing on away goals in a play-off against Cameroon after conceding a last-gasp goal in the second leg at home.

But Belmadi stayed on and Les Verts had the best record of any team in qualifying for the 2023 finals.

However, after draws with Angola and Burkina Faso, several of their players left the field in tears after the defeat by Mauritania.