Djamel Belmadi and Aliou Cissé, the two children from the same neighborhood in France (Champigny-sur-Marne), marked their time as coaches and the current landscape of African football. Today, they now find themselves without a club or national team.
It must be recognized that few coaches have done so much with their respective selections. Djamel Belmadi and Aliou Cissé, two figures from the sidelines, respectively African champions in 2019 with Algeria and in 2021 with Senegal, now find themselves without a club or national team, therefore unemployed.
If for the first, his departure was recorded at the end of the Can 2023 (contested in 2024) in Ivory Coast, a little over 10 months ago, for the second, his dismissal is very recent. It has been less than a month since he was disembarked after almost 10 years at the head of the Lions of Teranga, installed on March 4, 2015, succeeding Frenchman Alain Giresse.
The exceptional career and track record of these two technicians make them prime candidates for any club or selection seeking exceptional leadership and proven tactical expertise.
Djamel Belmadi: The rectifier of the Fennecs
Belmadi took the reins of the Algerian national team at a time of crisis. Since 2018, he has brought a wind of change, bringing rigor, discipline and cohesion to a team in search of identity. His methodology and tactical approach paid off when, in 2019, Algeria triumphed at the CAN in Egypt. This victory was not only a sporting success, it marked Algeria’s return to the international scene. Under his leadership, Algeria went on an impressive series of invincibility, testifying to the solidity of its game plan. Belmadi is recognized for his demands towards his players and his style of play based on solid defense and counter-attacks. fast. His rigor and charisma made him a coach who inspired respect and discipline, qualities often essential to get the best out of a team, but also detractors, who did everything to “minimize” everything he had built. in 6 years. He left the Algerian selection with a very positive record of 42 victories, 16 draws against only 6 defeats.
Aliou Cissé: The realization of a dream for a People
Former Senegalese international and emblematic captain of the Lions, Aliou Cissé knows the Senegalese team like the back of his hand. Under his leadership, Senegal reached the final of the Can in 2019, (irony of the fate beaten by his friend Belmadi) then finally won the coveted trophy in 2022. This historic victory, first in the history of Senegal, cemented Cissé’s status as a national hero and peerless strategist. With an approach centered on the versatility of his players and a rigorous style of play, Cissé succeeded in giving Senegal a strong identity and exemplary tactical cohesion. His ability to manage the big names of Senegalese football, while maintaining impeccable group discipline, was essential in leading the team to the top. Despite his 63 wins, 21 draws and 13 defeats, the supporters of change got the better of him. The coach gave up his place after almost 10 years on the bench.
Today, Belmadi and Cissé represent high-level strategic options for many teams seeking renewal and success. Their experience of African competitions and their mastery of the management of major international events make them coveted coaches on the world stage. For many clubs and selections, these two technicians represent an opportunity to integrate know-how and passion that could change the game. Both coaches are certainly thinking about their next challenge, but seem to be giving themselves time to let go of a period full of emotion, joy and disappointment. The question is where will they bounce? In another national team or will they be tempted by the challenge of a club (a first for the Senegalese)?
What is certain is that the expertise of these two African champions leaves no one indifferent and makes football fans dream.
With Africafootunited
