The Algerian Football Federation has named former Lorient manager, Christian Gourcuff as the new coach of the national football team.
Gourcuff replaces Vahid Halilhodzic, who resigned after guiding Algeria to the second round of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The Frenchman will officially take over the national team on August 1, and has signed a contract until the 2018 World Cup in Russia, meaning he will be in charge of Algeria for the next two African Cup of Nations tournaments and will be responsible for guiding the team to the next World Cup.
A statement of the Federation’s official website read: “The Federal Bureau (have) decided to appoint Mr Christian Gourcuff as national coach from 1 August 2014. A goal for the coming African Cup of Nations in 2015 and 2017 and the 2018 World Cup will be implemented. Mr Gourcuff will also participate in the training and development of the National Technical Department.”
Halilhodzic’s problems with the Algerian Football Federation had been well-documented while he was in charge and he had made it clear that he would be leaving his post after the World Cup.
He resigned from his position, despite efforts by the AFF and the country’s president to get him to stay on as coach, and has since taken over as manager of Turkish club Trabzonspor.
Gourcuff, who has also coached at Le Mans and Stade Rennes will take charge of Algeria for the first time in a match against Ethiopia in September at the start of the Nations Cup qualifiers.
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana