Paulo Bento’s representatives reject claims of Algeria appointment agreement

Paulo Bento’s representatives have denied reports that the former Portugal manager had agreed to become the next head coach of Algeria.

Bento has been without a club or international management contract since officially leaving the United Arab Emirates national team in March 2025. His name was subsequently linked with the Algeria job, with reports suggesting the 57-year-old had emerged as a leading candidate to take charge of the national side.

The Portuguese coach appeared to fit several of the requirements for the role. He previously managed Portugal, guiding a team featuring Cristiano Ronaldo to the semi-finals of Euro 2012 – the best tournament result of his managerial career to date.

Reports circulating in Algeria claimed Bento had reached an agreement with the Algerian Football Federation (FAF). However, those reports also suggested the federation later reconsidered the appointment after receiving negative feedback about his management of the squad and his relationship with players.

Bento’s agent, Carlos Goncalves, has rejected that version of events. According to Algerian media outlet winwin, Goncalves said there had been no agreement between the coach and the FAF.

The agent said the federation had made enquiries about Bento but had not submitted a formal offer. That account contradicts suggestions that the former Portugal manager had already accepted the position before the FAF backed away from the proposed appointment.

The federation is reportedly continuing discussions with two coaches who remain under contract with their current employers. Both are said to be willing to leave their respective positions, although no agreement has been confirmed with either candidate.

While the search continues, the FAF is understood to have asked Anthar Yahia to begin preparing a provisional squad for Algeria’s first 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.

Yahia, a former captain of the Algeria national team, is now part of the coaching staff as an assistant. His task is to help prepare the extended list of players for the matches against Zambia and Burundi, which are scheduled for the end of September.

The uncertainty over the next permanent coach means Algeria’s preparations for those fixtures are currently being handled while the federation assesses its options. Bento’s camp has made clear that, despite the reports linking him to the post, no agreement has been reached and no concrete proposal has been made to the Portuguese coach.

Bento remains best known in international football for his spell in charge of Portugal, where he worked with Ronaldo and led the side to the last four at Euro 2012. He most recently managed the United Arab Emirates national team before leaving that position in March 2025.