Algeria Olympic coach Madjid Bougherra resigns after UAE defeat

Algeria Olympic coach Madjid Bougherra has stepped down from his role after his team’s painful exit in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar.

Algeria were knocked out by the United Arab Emirates on penalties, losing 7-6 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw over 120 tense minutes.​

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Bougherra said: “I decided to resign from my position because I could not make the Algerian people happy, even though they strongly supported me in this mission, but we failed as a group to bring them joy.”

He added: “I worked a lot before the tournament and tried to prepare the team in the best way possible, but unfortunately we could not go further, and I take full responsibility.”​

Bougherra went on: “The Algerian national team is bigger than the names currently present, and I hope things improve with the new coaching staff.”

His contract was due to end at the close of this month, but the former national-team defender chose to leave early in the wake of the UAE defeat.