Saadane Hints At Post World Cup Exit
Algeria head coach Rabah Saadane
Algeria have yet to formally begin their preparations for next month's FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and the talk has already shifted to developments that could affect the team after the competition.
Coach Rabah Saadane hinted to journalists that he could be vacating his post after the World Cup, making way for new man to take over the helm of the Algerian national team.
The 60-year-old Saadane, who was Algeria's coach during their last appearance at a FIFA World Cup in 1986, has been quoted as saying that he does not believe he will be in charge of the Algerian team when they begin their qualifying games for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, but by calling up seven uncapped foreign-born players of Algerian decent to The Foxes squad, he has set the foundation for the teams future.
A likely candidate to take over from Saadane is former Morocco coach Phillipe Troussier. The Frenchman has coached extensively in Africa and according to the Al Heddaf newspaper is keen to succeed Saadane.
Troussier told the newspaper, “I respect [Rabah] Saadane very much and feel the same way about the Algerian Football Federation President, [Mohamed] Raouraoua. However, I think this isn’t the opportune moment to talk about this since it’s before the World Cup.”
Dubbed 'The White Which Doctor' by African fans, Troussier further said, “it’s true that I am free of obligations and I want to come back to the pitch after having finished my project of helping football in Japan. Considering the professional championship which has been launched in Algeria, I am interested in working on some objective with the FAF. Raouraoua knows well that I am ready at any moment.”
In the meantime Saadane is still focused on his teams preparations for the World Cup and confirmed that by Monday he will have his entire 30 man preliminary squad assembled at their base in the Swiss town of Crans Montana.
Once he has all his players together they will begin the first part of the preparations which includes medical tests and recuperation before the technical and fitness work can begin in earnest.
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