CR Belouizdad appoint former Mauritania coach Corentin Martins
Algerian giants CR Bélouizdad have announced the appointment of French coach Corentin Martins as their new head coach.
The 55-year-old tactician has signed a one-year contract with the reigning Algerian Cup winners, marking his return to Algerian football just four months after parting ways with Paradou AC.
Martins, known for his strategic acumen, replaces Brazilian coach Marcos Paqueta, whose contract expired on June 30.
"The French coach Martins Corentins is officially the head coach of CR Bélouizdad. Good luck to the new coach in his duties," the club said in an official statement on its official Facebook page.
The Frenchman's appointment comes at a crucial time for CR Bélouizdad, as the club aims to defend its recent successes and make a mark in the upcoming African Champions League.
With an impressive coaching resume, Martins is perhaps best known for his seven-year stint as the head coach of Mauritania's national team from 2014 to 2021.
During this period, he led the Mourabitounes to their first-ever TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations appearance in 2019, a historic achievement for the West African nation.
CR Bélouizdad's decision to bring Martins on board reflects the club's ambition to build on their recent domestic success.
Having finished second in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 last season and clinching the Algerian Cup, the expectations for the upcoming season are high.
Martins faces the immediate challenge of preparing the team for their African Champions League preliminary round clash against AC Leopards.
With pre-season training set to begin next week, including a camp in Turkey, the new coach will have limited time to implement his strategies and philosophy.
The Frenchman's previous spell in Algerian football with Paradou AC yielded mixed results. During his seven-month tenure, Martins led the team to 9 wins, 8 draws, and 5 defeats in 22 matches.
The pressure at CR Belouizdad will be considerably higher, with the club's primary objective being to reclaim the league title.