Felix Sanchez leads Algeria race after high-profile coaching options fall away

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has narrowed its search for Vladimir Petkovic’s successor to three candidates after considering a much wider list that included former Netherlands manager Frank de Boer and ex-Brazil international Sylvinho.

The pair were among five coaches ultimately eliminated from the process, with Felix Sanchez Bas, Rafael Benitez and Tom Saintfiet emerging as the remaining names.

The National Technical College met on Thursday at the national technical centre in Sidi Moussa to assess which candidate best matched the Algerian national team’s new sporting project. The FAF had already said it wanted a coach with the necessary competence and experience, but placed particular emphasis on finding someone suited to its long-term plans.

Eight candidates were examined during the process: Felix Sanchez Bas, Rafael Benitez, Juan Antonio Pizzi, Ricardo Formosinho, Paulo Sergio, Frank de Boer, Sylvinho and Tom Saintfiet.

Sanchez is understood to be the clear favourite and is reportedly already close to an agreement in principle with the FAF. Unless there is a late change, the Spaniard appears to have turned an eight-man contest into a race he is leading alone.

De Boer was arguably the most unexpected name to be considered. The former defender of FC Barcelona and Ajax has managed at a high level, although his spells with Ajax, Inter Milan, Crystal Palace and the Netherlands brought mixed results. He has also been without a coaching job since 2023, following an unsuccessful period in the United Arab Emirates, which may have counted against his application.

Sylvinho offered a different profile. The former Brazil international spent three years managing Albania, gaining significant experience in international football. He also played as a defender for FC Barcelona and is associated with a tactical culture close to the Iberian school believed to be sought by Algeria. However, his candidacy is understood not to have convinced the National Technical College sufficiently.

Pizzi also had a strong international coaching record. The Argentine-Spaniard led Chile to victory at the 2016 Copa America and managed Saudi Arabia at the 2018 World Cup.

Portuguese coach Ricardo Formosinho, who spent a long period working as Jose Mourinho’s assistant before becoming a head coach, was also assessed. His compatriot Paulo Sergio, who was recently appointed manager of Wydad Casablanca, had initially been included among the candidates.

Neither coach’s CV was considered strong enough in comparison with the three names who reached the final stage.

Benitez remains the most “ronflant” name on the shortlist, while Saintfiet would bring extensive knowledge of African football.

Sanchez, however, appears to offer several advantages. He is available, financially affordable, experienced in international management and recognised for his work developing young players. His spell with Qatar, which culminated in their 2019 AFC Asian Cup triumph, together with his time in charge of Ecuador, also fits the profile Algeria is seeking.

The FAF is therefore expected to move forward with Sanchez unless negotiations take an unexpected turn.