Who will succeed Vladimir Petkovic as Algeria head coach? | OneFootball

Brahim Hemdani is being considered to replace Vladimir Petkovic as Algeria head coach ahead of looming September fixtures.

According to L'Équipe, Algeria are the only one of the 10 African teams from the last World Cup yet to appoint a new coach, with five already acting ahead of qualifiers later this month.

The Fennecs have been in limbo since Petkovic’s departure was confirmed on 3 August. Time is tight, with the first two CAN 2027 qualifiers due at month’s end, Zambia at home then Burundi away.

FAF president Walid Sadi, also the sports minister, extended Petkovic before the World Cup to prioritise stability. Performances disappointed, and relations with the former Switzerland coach collapsed after a 0-2 last-16 exit that angered the country.

Supporters on social media floated Hervé Renard. Although he was close to Algeria after the CAN in Côte d'Ivoire, this option was not pursued.

After sounding out foreign coaches, the FAF circulated a three-man list via a national technical panel led by former boss Rabah Saadane: Rafael Benitez, Belgian Tom Saintfiet and Felix Sanchez. Sanchez held talks, then indicated interest in an Asian route, and plan A evaporated.

In the meantime Anthar Yahia was tasked with compiling an expanded squad for September and reassuring players and entourages unsettled by the American episode. That assignment could continue and even grow.

The federation is now seriously weighing a Yahia and Hemdani partnership. Appointed U20 coach in July, the 48-year-old has just won the Mediterranean Games with Algeria’s U21s, the first since 1975.

Source: L'Équipe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”