Serbian Milovan Rajevac has been fired from the Algerian national team after only two matches, as players within the squad were not happy with his training methods and selection policy.
Rajevac met with the Algerian federation president Mohamed Raouraoua to discuss the disappointing 1-1 stalemate at home against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon this past weekend, as the Fennec Foxes opened their group stage World Cup qualifiers with a draw in Blida.
After the meeting his departure was confirmed, and though some media report that he resigned while other suggest that he was sacked, sources within Algeria suggest that authorities reacted to player unrest, and the agreement to leave the national side was by mutual consent once Rajevac became aware of the discontent of his players.
The coach was appointed in June to replace former manager Christian Gourcuff, who returned to France for a position with a Ligue 1 club a few months prior.
The Algerians now need to find an experienced coach that will lead them through next month’s crucial World Cup qualifier away to Nigeria.
Rajevac began his reign positively, leading his side to a 6-0 victory over Lesotho in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying in September, but the players have been unhappy with him for some time, and the former Ghana coach only managed the two games with Algeria.
The Algerians now need to find an experienced coach that will lead them through next month’s crucial World Cup qualifier away to Nigeria, before preparing for the 2017 AFCON competition in Gabon.
The Fennec Foxes have a great selection of players within the squad, and they are a balanced side with experience and youth in abundance, but the lack of consistency in the coaching department may hurt them come May.
Their best bet is to move fast in selecting a new coach, while setting up a number of friendly matches ahead of the AFCON so that the players and coach can build a relationship in a competition atmosphere that will hopefully solidify cooperation.