French-born of Algerian descent, Djamel Belmadi had completed a 20-cap international career with Algeria, while playing his domestic football in four countries, by the time he arrived at St Mary’s in 2005. His early years in the game had been spent in France, but after interludes in Spain and Manchester, he came to Southampton via Qatar.

Despite being dogged by injuries, he did enough when he was fit – with his midfield runs and an eye for a pass – to win himself two contract extensions, from Harry Redknapp and George Burley, in turn.

When the Saints failed in the Championship play-offs, however, there was no third extension and Belmadi returned to France – after which he retired and went back to Qatar, where he managed Lekhwiya to their first League title in 2011, which they retained in 2012.

In 2018 he took unfancied Algeria to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations where they beat Senegal 1-0.