Rabah Saadane
Encyclopedia
Rabah Saâdane is a retired Algeria
n professional football
player whose playing career was abruptly interrupted at the age of 27 by a car accident. He was last the manager of the Algerian national team
before resigning in September 2010.
It was his fifth separate spell in charge of the team after earlier stints between 1981 and 2004 and was arguably his most successful, given its arduous qualification process. He was in charge when the U-18's qualified for the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship
, Algeria's first participation in a major tournament. He was also part of the 1982 FIFA World Cup
backroom staff and head coach in the 1986 FIFA World Cup
.
at the age of 16 when he was only a cadet at the time. He continued pursuing his education completing secondary school at the Lycée Ahmed Reda Houhou in Constantine
where he had gained a certificate of baccalaureate
. He then signed for MO Constantine
, he continued pursuing his education in Constantine and gained a Ph.D. He signed for JS El Biar
after his brief stint at MO Constantine
. He later signed for USM Blida. Saâdane had played for all the youth teams for Algeria
, before receiving his first call-up to the senior team by coach Rachid Mekhloufi, but he was forced to end his playing career at the age of 27 years because of an injury gained from a car accident.
According to some sources, he would have played for Stade Rennais. However, Saâdane personnally confirmed he never played in France, where he attended coaching lessons given by Georges Boulogne
.
. Which in turn was the country's first participation in a major tournament, since gaining its independence from France. He was replaced by Rachid Hanifi for the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship
, where they managed to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament with whom they eventually met Argentina with the young Diego Armando Maradona who played remarkably in the competition showing truly what an exceptional talent he was at the time.
He also coached Raja Casablanca, with whom he won the 1989 African Cup of Champions Clubs, Étoile Sportive du Sahel
, Yemen
and ES Sétif
.
On 4 September 2010, the Algerian Football Federation announced on their official website that Rabah Saâdane had resigned, a day after the team's disappointing 1-1 home draw against Tanzania in a 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier. The Algerian Football Federation had said that Saâdane had tendered his resignation and that it had been accepted. Saâdane had ended his fifth spell with the national team having steered them to the semi-finals of the 2010 African Cup of Nations
, for the first time since 1990, and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, ending a 24-year wait.
On January 1, 2011, Saadane was appointed as manager of the Yemen national football team
until 2014. However, 10 days later, it was announced that he would not become the manager because the Yemen Football Association
could not meet his financial demands.
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
n professional football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player whose playing career was abruptly interrupted at the age of 27 by a car accident. He was last the manager of the Algerian national team
Algeria national football team
The Algeria national football team , nicknamed الأفنــاك, Les Fennecs , represents Algeria in association football and is controlled by the Fédération Algérienne de Football. Algeria's home ground is the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and their head coach is Vahid Halilhodžić.Algeria has qualified...
before resigning in September 2010.
It was his fifth separate spell in charge of the team after earlier stints between 1981 and 2004 and was arguably his most successful, given its arduous qualification process. He was in charge when the U-18's qualified for the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship
1979 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship, the second staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship, was held in Japan from August 26 to September 7, 1979. The tournament took place in four venues — Kobe, Omiya, Tokyo and Yokohama — where a total of 32 matches were played, four more than in the...
, Algeria's first participation in a major tournament. He was also part of the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
backroom staff and head coach in the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
.
Playing career
In the mid-1960s, he was promoted to the senior team of the MSP BatnaMSP Batna
Mouloudia Sportive Populaire de Batna is an Algerian football club based in the city of Batna, Algeria...
at the age of 16 when he was only a cadet at the time. He continued pursuing his education completing secondary school at the Lycée Ahmed Reda Houhou in Constantine
Constantine, Algeria
Constantine is the capital of Constantine Province in north-eastern Algeria. It was the capital of the same-named French département until 1962. Slightly inland, it is about 80 kilometres from the Mediterranean coast, on the banks of Rhumel river...
where he had gained a certificate of baccalaureate
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
. He then signed for MO Constantine
MO Constantine
Mouloudia Olympique de Constantine is an Algerian soccer club based in Constantine, founded in 1939 by the reformer Abd al Hamid Ben Badis. The club colors are Blue and white.-National titles:* Algerian Championnat National: 1* Algerian Cup:...
, he continued pursuing his education in Constantine and gained a Ph.D. He signed for JS El Biar
JS El Biar
Jeunesse Sportive d'El Biar, referred to commonly as JS El Biar or JSEB for short, is an Algerian football club based in the El Biar district of Alger, Algeria...
after his brief stint at MO Constantine
MO Constantine
Mouloudia Olympique de Constantine is an Algerian soccer club based in Constantine, founded in 1939 by the reformer Abd al Hamid Ben Badis. The club colors are Blue and white.-National titles:* Algerian Championnat National: 1* Algerian Cup:...
. He later signed for USM Blida. Saâdane had played for all the youth teams for Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, before receiving his first call-up to the senior team by coach Rachid Mekhloufi, but he was forced to end his playing career at the age of 27 years because of an injury gained from a car accident.
According to some sources, he would have played for Stade Rennais. However, Saâdane personnally confirmed he never played in France, where he attended coaching lessons given by Georges Boulogne
Georges Boulogne
Georges Boulogne was a French football player and manager, better known for his stint as France national football team manager. He was born in Haillicourt....
.
Managerial career
He led the Algerian under-20 youth team in 1978, to the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship1979 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship, the second staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship, was held in Japan from August 26 to September 7, 1979. The tournament took place in four venues — Kobe, Omiya, Tokyo and Yokohama — where a total of 32 matches were played, four more than in the...
. Which in turn was the country's first participation in a major tournament, since gaining its independence from France. He was replaced by Rachid Hanifi for the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship
1979 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship, the second staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship, was held in Japan from August 26 to September 7, 1979. The tournament took place in four venues — Kobe, Omiya, Tokyo and Yokohama — where a total of 32 matches were played, four more than in the...
, where they managed to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament with whom they eventually met Argentina with the young Diego Armando Maradona who played remarkably in the competition showing truly what an exceptional talent he was at the time.
He also coached Raja Casablanca, with whom he won the 1989 African Cup of Champions Clubs, Étoile Sportive du Sahel
Étoile Sportive du Sahel
The Étoile Sportive du Sahel is a sports club from Sousse in the Sahel region of Tunisia, known primarily for its football team. The club also has sections for handball, volleyball, basketball, judo and wrestling...
, Yemen
Yemen national football team
The Yemen national football team , is the national team of Yemen and is controlled by the Yemen Football Association.When the nation was split into North Yemen and South Yemen before 1990, two national teams existed. After unification, the Yemen national football team is considered the successor of...
and ES Sétif
ES Sétif
Entente Sportive Sétifienne , commonly referred to as ES Sétif or ESS for short, is an Algerian professional football club based in Sétif currently playing in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1...
.
On 4 September 2010, the Algerian Football Federation announced on their official website that Rabah Saâdane had resigned, a day after the team's disappointing 1-1 home draw against Tanzania in a 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier. The Algerian Football Federation had said that Saâdane had tendered his resignation and that it had been accepted. Saâdane had ended his fifth spell with the national team having steered them to the semi-finals of the 2010 African Cup of Nations
2010 African Cup of Nations
The 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the Orange Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship reasons, was the 27th Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial football championship of Africa...
, for the first time since 1990, and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, ending a 24-year wait.
On January 1, 2011, Saadane was appointed as manager of the Yemen national football team
Yemen national football team
The Yemen national football team , is the national team of Yemen and is controlled by the Yemen Football Association.When the nation was split into North Yemen and South Yemen before 1990, two national teams existed. After unification, the Yemen national football team is considered the successor of...
until 2014. However, 10 days later, it was announced that he would not become the manager because the Yemen Football Association
Yemen Football Association
The Yemen Football Association is the governing body of football in Yemen. It was founded in 1962, has been a member of the Asian Football Confederation since 1962 and of FIFA since 1980....
could not meet his financial demands.