Mahieddine Khalef

Mahieddine Khalef was an Algerian footballer who had a lengthy career as both a player and a manager. Khalef made his début as a player for KAC Kenitra in 1960 before joining IZ Khemisset one year later. He stayed with the club until 1967, finishing his career with JS Kabylie in 1974 where he won the league title in the 1972–73 season.

In 1977 Khalef became the head coach of JS Kabylie, achieving great success with the club over the next 13 years. Under his leadership the team won eight Algerian championships (1977, 1980, 1982–83, 1985–86, 1989–90), two Algerian Cups (1977, 1986), and the CAF Champions League (1981). During this time he was also the manager of the Algerian national side from 1979 to 1984, leading the team to the final of the 1980 African Cup of Nations. The same year he also led the team for the football tournament at the Moskva Olympics.

At the 1982 FIFA World Cup Khalef co-managed the team with Rachid Mekhloufi where Algeria caused a huge upset by beating the European champions West Germany in their opening match. Despite their win, Algeria would eventually be eliminated in the group stage following the controversial result in the final match between West Germany and Austria, known as the Disgrace of Gijón. Khalef continued to manage other domestic Algerian teams throughout the 1990s before spending one final season with JS Kabylie in 2000–01.