ALGIERS – Former Algerian national team coach Vahid Halilhodžić appears to be still basking in the glow of past decisions, particularly those concerning Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani. In a recent interview, the Bosnian coach revisited his controversial choices that proved pivotal in the careers of these two stars.
Speaking on the “Campo” podcast with French-Algerian journalist Ismaël Bouabdallah, Halilhodžić reminisced about integrating Mahrez and Slimani into the national squad. He recalled a time when both players were relatively unknown, Mahrez in the English Championship with Leicester City and Slimani with CR Belouizdad in the Algerian league. Both would later become key figures in Algerian football history.
Halilhodžić reiterated his familiar narrative, highlighting the criticism he faced from Algerian media for his bold decisions. He specifically mentioned the backlash he received for selecting the then-slender Mahrez from Leicester City and the promising striker Slimani, who was playing for CR Belouizdad. Despite the skepticism, the coach remained confident in the players’ abilities to strengthen the Fennecs’ attack.
Recalling his scouting of Mahrez before the 2014 World Cup, Halilhodžić stated, “I heard about a young player that almost nobody knew. I watched him closely and found him technically gifted, despite some physical limitations. He rarely lost the ball. Despite advice against selecting him because he was born in France, I was confident in him from the start. Today, he’s one of the best players in the world, and that fills me with pride.”
Regarding Slimani, the coach explained that his discovery was accidental, during a CR Belouizdad match. “I was looking for a strong striker who was good in the air and could win duels. I faced severe criticism and was sometimes accused of taking money from players, but I stuck to my opinion, and experience later proved me right.”
Riyad Mahrez made his international debut against Armenia in a friendly that Algeria won 3-1. He has now accumulated over 100 international caps and scored 33 goals. Slimani began his international journey in a friendly against Niger in May 2012, eventually becoming the national team’s all-time leading scorer with 47 goals.
