DOHA: Alegrian Belmadi on Sunday was unveiled as new Qatar football
coach, replacing Fahad Thani who has been given charge of the Olympic
squad.

This announcement was made by Qatar Football Association (QFA)
President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani at a news
conference.

Belmadi, who guided QSL side Lekhwiya to two national league titles in
2011 and 2012 , said he was delighted to be named the new coach.

“This is a great opportunity for me to take charge of a very talented
squad,” Belmadi said.

“This is a responsibility that I have taken up after considerable
thought. I did not go out looking for this job,” the 37-year-old
added.

“I have been in this country for 10 years. I know how important this
sport to Qatar and the football fans. We have many targets to
achieve,” he said

Sheikh Hamad said: “We announce that Mr Djamel Belmadi will manage the
Qatar national team. Our targets are easy to understand. We want to
reach the finals of the 2018 World Cup to be held in Russia.”

He added: “I take this opportunity to thank Fahad Thani for his
wonderful contribution. He took over at a difficult time and did his
best (2012 to 2014). We have important events coming up like the Gulf
Cup and the 2015 Asian Cup.”

Fahad Thani said: “I would like to express my regret that we could not
reach the 2014 World Cup finals. However, I would like to congratulate
QFA on reaching the 2015 Asian Cup. My new target is to help Qatar
reach the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.”

Fahad had replaced Brazilian Paulo Autuori in February 2012 after
Qatar were knocked out of the 2012 Gulf Cup in Bahrain. Under Fahad,
Qatar failed to reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals to be held in
June this year in Brazil.

In January this year, Belmadi guided Qatar junior side to WAFF title glory.

He also played in Qatar, appearing for Al Kharaitiyat.