The Lebanese Football Association has appointed Algerian coach Majid Bougherra as head coach of the national team, succeeding Montenegrin Miodrag Radulovic, whose contract was terminated after a disagreement over the future sporting vision and upcoming preparations.
Radulovic led Lebanon in two separate spells, from 2015 to early 2019 and again from December 2023, overseeing 24 official matches in his second tenure with 11 wins, 5 draws and 8 defeats, the last of which came against Sudan in the Arab Cup playoff and effectively ended his time in charge.
In its official statement, the Lebanese FA said that appointing Bougherra reflects a clear desire to benefit from his long continental and international experience built as a player in Europe and the region before moving into coaching.
Bougherra’s coaching résumé includes guiding Algeria’s local national team to the 2021 Arab Cup title, along with club spells at Al Duhail and Al Markhiya in Qatar and Fujairah in the UAE.
The former Rangers defender, who played 344 club matches and earned 70 caps for Algeria, is known for discipline, defensive organization and a collective approach shaped by his time in European and North African football.
The Lebanese FA believes his North African background and familiarity with Asian football, gained through regional tournaments, will help build a more stable and competitive “Cedars” side.
His first big test will be a decisive Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Yemen on 31 March 2026 in Qatar, where Lebanon need only a draw to secure their place at the finals.
