Algeria and Vladimir Petkovic agree to end partnership after World Cup disappointment

Algeria have parted company with head coach Vladimir Petkovic by mutual consent following their elimination in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup.

The decision was announced by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) on Monday evening, ending a relationship which had appeared increasingly difficult to sustain. Petkovic had initially been expected to remain in charge, having signed a contract extension until 2028 shortly before the World Cup.

However, pressure had been building around the manager. The FAF had required him to restructure his technical staff and had also insisted that he spend at least three weeks of every month in Algeria. Those measures were viewed as an attempt to force a change in his position, while dismissing him outright would have carried a significant financial cost.

On Tuesday, the FAF published details of discussions held by its federal bureau the previous day. The federation said its president, Walid Sadi, had spoken with Petkovic “afin d’examiner les perspectives de poursuite de la relation contractuelle dans un climat de confiance, de respect mutuel et de responsabilite. A l’issue de ces discussions, les deux parties sont parvenues au constat partage que le contexte general ne permettait plus d’assurer la poursuite de leur collaboration dans les conditions de serenite, de stabilite et de confiance requises. Elles ont, en consequence, convenu de mettre un terme a leur relation contractuelle par voie de resiliation amiable, dans le respect de leurs engagements respectifs.”

In English, the federation said the talks were intended to assess whether the contractual relationship could continue in an atmosphere of trust, mutual respect and responsibility. It added that both sides had concluded the wider circumstances no longer allowed their work to continue with the calm, stability and confidence required, and had therefore agreed to terminate the contract amicably while respecting their respective commitments.

The statement suggests Petkovic accepted that leaving was the best solution after public pressure for his departure became overwhelming, despite his apparent wish to continue. The FAF did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.

Initial reports had suggested that Petkovic would receive only three months’ salary. More recent information, however, pointed to a larger settlement worth between nine and 12 months of wages.

The federation has now begun searching for a successor. According to journalist Romain Molina, former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Everton manager Rafael Benitez and former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez are among the names being considered.

Jose Peseiro, who previously managed Nigeria, is another possible candidate. He was already approached by the FAF in 2024 as a potential replacement for Djamel Belmadi.

Petkovic’s departure brings an end to his time leading Algeria after the team’s World Cup exit in the last 32.