Tahrat calls for Algeria to match Morocco’s approach in next manager appointment

Freshly retired Algeria international Mehdi Tahrat has urged the country’s football authorities to study Morocco’s model as they decide who should become the next manager of the Fennecs.

Speaking after Algeria’s separation from Vladimir Petkovic, Tahrat said the choice should be guided by a coach capable of bringing a more ambitious style of play while remaining faithful to the identity of Algerian football.

His message to the decision-makers is clear: “We must look at what Morocco are doing.”

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) is currently working through the process of appointing Petkovic’s successor. A national technical committee is due to examine eight applications on Thursday before making recommendations to the federation.

Two leading candidates are reported to have emerged from the process: Rafael Benitez and Felix Sanchez.

Tahrat, who recently ended his playing career, believes the next coach must do more than simply manage the national side. He wants Algeria to appoint a tactician able to maximise the quality of the players available and create a clear playing philosophy that fits the national team’s traditions.

The former defender was particularly critical of the decision to use Ibrahim Maza as the focal point of the attack in Algeria’s decisive last-16 defeat by Switzerland. Algeria lost that match 2-0, with the experiment leaving a lasting impression on Tahrat.

For the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner, the appointment is therefore about more than replacing Petkovic. It is also an opportunity to establish a stronger footballing direction for the Fennecs and to select a manager whose ideas are ambitious enough to match the team’s potential.

Tahrat’s reference to Morocco reflects his belief that Algeria should examine the way its North African neighbours have approached the development and management of their national team. He did not offer a specific candidate beyond highlighting the need for a coach who understands both the players and the country’s footballing identity.

The national technical committee’s review on Thursday is expected to provide the next step in the search. Its recommendations will then go to the FAF, which will make the final decision on the successor to Petkovic.

Tahrat retired after a career that included representing Algeria at international level and helping the national team win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He has now entered the discussion around the future of the side by calling for a broader and more ambitious approach to the next appointment.