Algeria weigh Brahim Hemdani promotion as foreign-manager search stalls

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) is reconsidering its plan to appoint a foreign manager, with Brahim Hemdani emerging as a serious candidate to lead the national team.

Less than three weeks before the next international break, Algeria remain without a new head coach. A number of names have been linked with the position, but none has yet been officially approved by the FAF.

The lack of progress in the search has prompted the federation to look more closely at a domestic solution. Hemdani has reportedly strengthened his position after guiding Algeria’s Under-20 side to a gold medal at the Mediterranean Games, including a victory over Morocco.

His success with the youth team is understood to have earned him considerable credit within the federation. What was initially expected to be a temporary arrangement could now develop into a permanent appointment.

The original plan was for Hemdani to assist Anthar Yahia during the upcoming international window while the FAF continued its search for a new manager. Because Yahia did not have the required coaching qualification available for the role, Hemdani would have been officially registered as head coach.

However, the balance of responsibility is now reportedly being reconsidered. According to insider Imad Mostefai, the FAF is seriously examining a structure in which Hemdani would be appointed manager in his own right.

Under that proposal, Yahia would work as his assistant, while Moussa Saib would take on the role of general manager. Hemdani would therefore be more than a formal figurehead: he would also be the main authority inside the dressing room.

The plan would be considered if Algeria fail to secure a Spanish or Portuguese coach by the middle of September. The FAF has extended its deadline for finding a manager until 15 September.

The federation had previously been linked with Roberto Martinez, who recently left his role with the Portugal national team. Several reports claimed Martinez was highly interested in taking charge of the Fennecs and would be willing to lower his financial demands to make a deal possible.

There had also been reports of advanced talks with Gustavo Poyet. The situation surrounding the Uruguayan is now less clear, however, particularly because he does not come from the Iberian coaching tradition targeted by the FAF.

With the foreign options yet to produce an appointment, Hemdani’s medal-winning work with the Under-20 team has moved him closer to a senior role. The next stage of the process will determine whether Algeria continue to pursue a coach from Spain or Portugal, or instead place their faith in a local figure.