Nabil Maâloul announced his resignation as CR Belouizdad head coach at a press conference on Saturday 24 October, after the 2-2 draw with USM Alger. The club remain 2nd in Ligue 1.
The post-match press conference took an unexpected turn at the Stade du 5-Juillet-1962. With the Algiers derby against USM Alger having just ended in a 2-2 draw, Nabil Maâloul announced his resignation as CR Belouizdad head coach, according to Competition.dz. A surprise decision, taken after his side had led 2-0 before being pegged back.
The Tunisian coach took care to thank the Madar group, the club’s owner, the directors and the supporters, while explaining his choice by his conviction that he could no longer carry on his mission. The announcement comes in a mixed sporting context: CRB sit 2nd in Ligue 1 with 14 points after six rounds, but are coming off a poor result in a match they seemed to control.
A derby that slipped away from CRB
The script of the match will leave plenty of regrets. CR Belouizdad had gone two goals up before USM Alger came back to 2-2. That turn of events hastened Nabil Maâloul’s exit, though he insisted on defending his players’ commitment despite the loss of that advantage.
“I have nothing to reproach my players for. They fought and gave everything throughout the match,” the coach said at the press conference, according to Competition.dz. He also pointed to a disputed incident: “We should have had a penalty for a foul on Ben Hammouda.” According to the coach, striker Zied Ben Hammouda was fouled inside the box without the referee awarding a penalty. The refereeing decision was not commented on beyond that statement.
The match was part of matchday 7 of Ligue 1 Mobilis. It had been brought forward to 24 October because both clubs were forced to sit out continental action this weekend, Competition.dz reports.
The thanks and the announcement
In his remarks, Nabil Maâloul first had words for those who have been with him at the club: “I thank the Madar group, the directors and the supporters for their support, but I can no longer carry on my mission.” A formula that confirms his decision to leave his post, with no other reason given by the man himself.
The announcement was made officially at the press conference. That said, it does not yet mean the resignation is settled administratively: a meeting between the CRB hierarchy and Maâloul is planned to formalise his resignation or attempt a reconciliation, according to information from Competition.dz. The club has not announced that it has accepted the resignation, and no successor’s name has been put forward.
An immediate future in limbo
CR Belouizdad therefore find themselves in an uncertain situation. On the pitch, the club keep 2nd place with 14 points after six rounds, a record that remains solid despite this draw conceded in the derby. But the uncertainty around the dugout could weigh on preparations for the next league match.
The club’s hierarchy must now manage this delicate sequence. The upcoming meeting between the directors and Nabil Maâloul will be decisive: it could confirm the Tunisian coach’s departure or, on the contrary, open the way to a reconciliation. In the meantime, CRB must prepare for their next Ligue 1 fixture without officially knowing who will be on the bench.