The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has decided to terminate the contract of national team coach Djamel Belmadi following Algeria's challenging campaign in the AFCON in Cote d'Ivoire.
The decision comes in the wake of Algeria's early elimination at the group stage, marked by a 1-0 defeat against Mauritania in Bouake on Tuesday.
Belmadi's contract, originally set to run until 2026, was cut short due to the disappointing performance in the ongoing tournament. FAF president Walid Sadi announced the decision after meeting with Belmadi to discuss the team's early exit.
“We have reached an amicable agreement to end the contract between coach Djamel Belmadi and the Algerian Football Federation,” Sadi stated in a tweet. “We thank him for everything he has done for the team and wish him good luck.”
Despite Belmadi guiding Algeria to victory at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, the team struggled to replicate that success in the current tournament. Algeria had two draws in the competition, being held 1-1 by Angola and 2-2 by Burkina Faso, before the defeat against Mauritania left them at the bottom of Group D.
This marks the first time since 1994 that Algeria has failed to progress from the group stage in consecutive AFCON tournaments. Belmadi, appointed in 2018, faced increasing scrutiny over the past year as his team's form declined.
The 1-0 loss to Mauritania proved to be the breaking point for the FAF, prompting the decision to part ways with Belmadi. The federation has now initiated the search for a successor to lead the national team.