Abdelhak Benchikha Resigns as JS Kabylie Coach Despite Leading Ligue 1

Abdelhak Benchikha surprised everyone in the football world by stepping down as the head coach of JS Kabylie right after his team won 2-0 against ES Guelma in the Algerian Cup on Friday. Even though he had led the team to the top of the Ligue 1 Mobilis rankings, Benchikha said he was leaving because of the constant criticism from the fans.

"I'm really exhausted. No matter if we win or lose, they are never satisfied," Benchikha told reporters after the game, making it clear this was his last match with the team. The 61-year-old coach thanked the fans and the club leaders for their support but shared how draining it was to deal with the never-ending pressure.

Benchikha had brought the squad back to life since taking over in the offseason, leading them to the league's top spot with 24 points from 14 games, including 7 victories, 3 draws, and 4 losses. However, given their high expectations following a major player recruitment push, some supporters and critics believed the squad might have done better.

Benchikha's resignation has not yet been addressed by the club's management, and as the second half of the season draws near, they will need to find a replacement as soon as possible to keep up their high league standing and carry on with their Algerian Cup campaign.