After Khatoui, Lassâad Dridi Abruptly Leaves and Takes Over as Coach of CS Constantine
The Stadium is Truly in Turmoil.
The Coaching Saga Continues
After the controversial departure of Chokri Khatoui, who successfully led the team to the top of the standings despite a revamped and not-so-rich squad, his successor Lassâad Dridi has surprisingly decided to leave. The rumor had been circulating within the team's entourage for a few days, but nothing predicted such a sudden and unexpected end to his tenure.
Dridi, who had just rejoined his former club, had only three weeks of work under his belt. He had just begun his contract, promising to elevate the team's level and stay in the top tier of the standings. The team's supporters were counting on Lassâad Dridi to remain competitive in the championship and avoid the consequences of Khatoui's departure.
Dridi was chosen by Mohamed Mahjoub's committee because he was familiar with the team's atmosphere, a crucial factor in navigating the long championship break. However, from the first training sessions, the former coach did not seem at ease and motivated. And then came the shocking announcement that rocked the team: Lassâad Dridi had terminated his contract (did he have a release clause in his contract, if one was even signed?) and became the coach of the Algerian club, CS Constantine.
The Consequences
After a first and last friendly test with the team (a 2-1 defeat against Botswana), Dridi, who had likely already received an offer from Constantine, decided to change course quickly and unexpectedly. The team is now without a coach and will be forced to hire a third coach since the beginning of the season. This is not good for the team's atmosphere or the club's image.
Whether Dridi is to blame or not, the question is more general. Mohamed Mahjoub remains largely responsible for this bleak situation at the Stadium. His numerous changes and desire to sell players at the slightest opportunity to finance the team's expenses have discouraged many coaches from taking the risk of leading an unstable and depleted squad with technically inferior arrivals.
As the club's president, it is his duty to provide the minimum conditions for coaches to work effectively and to agree with them on transfers and acquisitions. This disrupted break will likely have consequences on the team's future performance in the championship and cup.
For Lassâad Dridi, this is an ethical misstep, regardless of the reason given. For many supporters, he has "betrayed" his beloved club.
