French Coach Denies Falling out with North African Players

Under contract with Algerian side JS, Hubert Velud has denied claims he has fallen out with his players.

Appointed in July, the 60-year-old has been on the receiving end of derides last month with media reports in Algiers even suggesting at one point that he has been sacked

It was reported that the two-time Algerian league winning gaffer had fallen out with some key members of his dressing room after delivering a dressing down at players in a fit of anger on the back of a league game loss.

However, he has repudiated that ever happening but appeared to suggest of a then-existing “tension” between him and immediate boss Cheriff Mellal.

“I never had tensions with the players. Tension with the club leaders is part of the club and season life. There are small temptations sometimes but that is completely normal. I know my players are good and I trust them,” he said, clarifying a subject that has long been bandied about.

He and his charges travel out to Rabat on Wednesday where they face capital outfit Raja Casablanca this Friday in the quest to reach the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.

“We know everything about Raja. But they (the Moroccans) also know everything about us. That’s how it is – high-level football is played on small details. We observe everything and we are focused on the details to make a good match there,” he says.