BEIRUT: Lebanon have appointed former Algerian international Madjid Bougherra as their new coach, the national football association said.
Local media said it was a four-year deal.
The 43-year-old had previously been in charge of Algeria’s A team and won the Arab Cup with them in 2021 but resigned after they failed to defend their title in Qatar in December.
Bougherra captained Algeria at the 2014 World Cup and also played at the 2010 finals. The French-born central defender began his playing career at Gueugnon before moving across the English Channel playing at Crewe Alexandra, Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic and Rangers in Scotland.
His first match in charge will be Lebanon’s Asian Cup qualifier against Yemen in Qatar on March 31 where they only need a draw to qualify for the 2027 finals in Saudi Arabia.
Lebanon name Madjid Bougherra as new coach
https://arab.news/gpagc
Lebanon name Madjid Bougherra as new coach
- The 43-year-old had previously been in charge of Algeria’s A team and won the Arab Cup with them in 2021 but resigned after they failed to defend their title in Qatar in December
Arbeloa backs five Real Madrid stars he ‘always’ wants playing
- Los Blancos have sometimes struggled for balance when too many of their attacking talents play together
- “I always want to have the best players on the pitch, and the more minutes they can be available to the team for me, the better,” Arbeloa said
MADRID: Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa insisted Saturday he would stand by the team’s star players and give them as many minutes as possible, despite debate over whether the team can function effectively with them all on the pitch.
Los Blancos, who were beaten at Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday to drop into the play-off round, have sometimes struggled for balance when too many of their attacking talents play together.
Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior have completed each of the last four games for Arbeloa, along with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while midfielder Fede Valverde started all four and been substituted once.
“I always want to have the best players on the pitch, and the more minutes they can be available to the team for me, the better,” Arbeloa told a news conference, when asked if those five players were “untouchable.”
“These are players who can shake up a match at any moment. There will be people who aren’t Madrid fans who don’t want them on the pitch, but I imagine Madrid supporters want their best players always available, always on the field.
“I think the five players mentioned are among the top ten in the world, and so they have my full trust. And it’s not just my trust — their performance is what’s putting them on the pitch.”
Real Madrid host Rayo Vallecano on Sunday in La Liga, looking to bounce back from the defeat by Benfica and put pressure on leaders Barcelona.
French superstar Mbappe criticized the team for their inconsistency and Arbeloa said Madrid are working on solving that issue.
“Look, we’re working to find the consistency we want in our game and at all levels, and I think right now it’s neither a time for disappointment nor a time for euphoria,” said Arbeloa.
“It’s a time for work, nothing more.”
