Algeria and Rangers legend Madjid Bougherra first senior managerial post at Arabian Gulf League strugglers Fujairah was ended by mutual consent this weekend.
Bougherra, 37, returned in June to the club he played for from 2014-16. Friday’s 2-2 draw with bottom-placed Khor Fakkan, however, confirmed the 13th-placed Wolves’ drop into the relegation zone for the three-week break.
“Fujairah announces the end of Madjid Bougherra’s work as coach for the first team,” announced the side in 2019/20 who’d accrued the joint-most top-flight losses (10 from 16 fixtures) and conceded the joint-third-most goals (30).
“By mutual consent between the two parties, the Fujairah administration also offers sincere thanks and appreciation
“The coach has shown with distinction with his tireless efforts during his previous job as manager.
“As coach for the first team, he developed the performance of the first team.
“Being one of the sons of the club, we are proud to have had him as a player and coach. The club will remain open to him all the time.”
An announcement about a permanent successor has not been made.
Bougherra had led the Under-23 side of Qatar Stars League giants Al Duhail from 2017-19.
This followed 2016’s end of a 14-year playing career that was headlined by the winning of six major trophies – including three-successive Scottish Premier League crowns – in Glasgow from 2008-11.
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Fujairah had only avoided relegation on the final day in 2018/19 under Czech Republic’s Ivan Hasek.
The early months of Bougherra’s troubled debut campaign included a bold switch to a three-man defence, plus the dismal failure of Liberia centre forward William Jebor – goalless in 12 AGL run-outs.
There was also a 7-1 home loss to the UAE’s most-decorated club, Al Ain.
Bougherra had cut a pragmatic tone about the high termination rate of managers in the Middle East when interviewed by Sport360 in December.
He said: “It is a gamble, but that is my character. I am not afraid – I know it is part of the job.”
Fujairah next host fourth-bottom Ittihad Kalba on Friday, February 28.
