Algeria part company with manager Djamel Belmadi following AFCON exit

Algeria have parted company with manager Djamel Belmadi following their exit at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The 47-year-old has departed after Algeria’s 1-0 defeat to Mauritania on Tuesday.

The result left them bottom of Group D having drawn their previous two games against Angola and Burkina Faso.

Walid Sadi, president of the Algerian FA (AFF), said: “I met with Djamel Belmadi to talk about the consequences of this bitter exclusion, and we reached an amicable agreement to dissolve the association and break the contract that links the coach with the Algerian Football Federation.

“We thank Djamel for everything he did for the team and wish him good luck in the rest of his career.”

A statement from the Algerian FA later added that an agreement had been reached to terminate Belmadi’s contract.

Belmadi became the manager of Algeria in 2018 and coached them to victory at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt. 

They did, however, miss out on qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, losing 2-1 to Cameroon in a play-off contest. 

During his playing career, Belmadi had spells at Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Manchester City and Southampton, alongside representing Algeria until his final appearance in 2004 against Zimbabwe.

Belmadi becomes the fourth manager to leave his role at the tournament after the Ivory Coast dismissed Jean-Louis Gasset, Tom Saintfiet quit his position as The Gambia’s head coach and Ghana announced the sacking of Chris Hughton.