Algeria’s George Leekens became
the first coaching casualty of the African Nations Cup, resigning on Tuesday
after his team was eliminated less than three months after taking the job.
“Given the pressure exerted on the federation and the national
team, I prefer to stop my contract. For the good of all, I prefer to leave even
if I do it with a sore heart while wishing all the success in the world to the
national team,” Reuters quoted the Belgian coach as saying in a statement on
the Algerian Football Federation website (www.faf.dz).
Algeria failed to win a game in Group A, finishing with a 2-2 draw
against Senegal in Franceville on Monday for only a second point from three
matches.
The team had been among the pre-tournament favourites but was held
in its opening game by outsiders Zimbabwe and lost to neighbours Tunisia.
It was the second spell in charge of the Algerian team for the
67-year-old who has also coached the national sides of Belgium and Tunisia.
He took the job on October 27,
days after being fired by Belgian club Lokeren.
Leekens’ availability coincided with Algeria’s search for a coach
after axing Milovan Rajevac.
The Serbian had been in the job for 113 days before being fired
after Algeria began its World Cup qualifying campaign with a home draw against
Cameroon.
No comments:
Post a Comment