Amidst swirling speculations surrounding the successor to Djamel Belmadi as the Algeria national football team coach, Hugo Broos, a prominent candidate in the discussions, has definitively put an end to the rumors. The Belgian, renowned for his coaching successes, particularly leading Cameroon to victory in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has recently steered South Africa to its first AFCON semi-final in 24 years, securing a commendable bronze medal in the process.
Initially part of the shortlist compiled by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) for the post-Belmadi era, Broos’ potential appointment had gained traction.
However, recent developments indicate a change in the landscape, as Broos, who had earlier hinted at a possible departure during the AFCON citing distance from his family, now firmly asserts his commitment to Bafana Bafana.
His existing contract binds him to the South African team until 2026.
“I never wanted to leave a place on a success. Maybe I should have done it sometimes during my career, but it’s my last job and I want to see how far I can go,” declared the 71-year-old coach in an interview with the Belgian daily The Last Hour.
Broos expressed uncertainty about the duration of his coaching tenure, stating, “It remains to be seen when this will stop. In two months, in six months or in two years… I don’t know.”
With Broos definitively out of contention, attention now turns to Portuguese coach José Peseiro, a finalist in the last AFCON, who has reached the end of his contract with Nigeria.
Peseiro emerges as the frontrunner for the Algeria coaching position, with the possibility of an extension with Nigeria still in play.
Meanwhile, the candidacy of Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic lingers, adding an element of anticipation to the unfolding dynamics in the search for Algeria’s new head coach.
Les confidences d’Hugo Broos après avoir donné tort à toute l’Afrique du Sud : “Je n’ai jamais voulu quitter une équipe sur un succès” https://t.co/E8jEjyvLh1
— DH les Sports + (@ladh) February 17, 2024
