ES Sétif Determined to Retain Coach Madoui Amid CAF Champions League Draw Controversy
ES Sétif president Hassan Hammar has made it clear that the club is not prepared to part ways with head coach Kheireddine Madoui, despite the latter’s recent announcement that he would step down at the end of the season. Madoui, the architect of the Black Eagles’ 2014 CAF Champions League triumph, is seen as integral to the club’s ongoing success, both domestically and on the continental stage.
Speaking to Radio Algérie, Hammar expressed both support and concern for his young coach, suggesting that the mounting pressure — particularly from internal criticism — may have prompted Madoui’s decision.
“Our coach is young, and he has already won several major titles, including the Champions League. Right now, he’s doing everything he can to defend that title while also leading the team toward the league crown,” Hammar said. “This kind of pressure takes its toll, especially when it comes from so-called players questioning his integrity. That’s what led him to announce his departure.”
Hammar emphasized that the club’s management will do everything in their power to persuade Madoui to stay and to maintain the core of the team heading into next season.
“We’ll fight to keep our backbone and our best players,” he declared.
Controversial CAF Draw Raises Eyebrows
The ES Sétif president also took aim at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the recent group stage draw for the Champions League, which saw all three Algerian clubs—ES Sétif, USM Alger, and MC El Eulma—placed in Group B alongside Sudanese giants El Merrikh.
Hammar didn’t mince words: “This is unheard of—neither in Africa, nor in Europe, nor anywhere else. One of the Algerian teams could have been placed in Group A, which would have increased the chances of seeing an all-Algerian final. Even though it’s still possible under this format, it’s now much more complicated.”
The draw has sparked criticism across Algerian football circles, with many viewing the outcome as a missed opportunity to diversify the competition and raise the profile of North African clubs deeper into the tournament.
As ES Sétif prepare for the group stage and the domestic league run-in, the future of coach Madoui—and the club’s ability to maintain its competitive edge—remains a key storyline. For now, the message from the club’s leadership is clear: they are not ready to let go of the man who helped lead them to continental glory.
