Algeria coaching search widens as FAF considers Spanish coach under contract

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) is continuing its search for a new national team coach, with a Spanish manager currently under contract at a club reportedly among the latest candidates being considered.

According to Dzair Tube, the FAF has received the coach’s CV and has asked him to end his current contract so discussions over a possible move to the Algeria national team can progress.

The identity of the Spanish coach has not been disclosed, leaving the federation waiting for his response as it assesses another option to replace Vladimir Petkovic.

The latest development underlines the uncertainty surrounding the search, with the FAF yet to settle on a successor despite having considered several candidates.

The Spanish coach is not the only new name to emerge in the process.

Portugal’s Paulo Bento has also reportedly been contacted by the Algerian federation as the search continues.

According to journalist Mohamed Djamel, the FAF has approached the 57-year-old, who has been without a club since leaving the United Arab Emirates in March 2025.

Bento has considerable experience at international level. During his time in charge of Portugal, he guided the team to the semi-finals of Euro 2012.

He later managed South Korea and led them to the last 16 at the 2022 World Cup.

That experience of managing national teams and competing at major international tournaments could make Bento an appealing candidate as Algeria look to rebuild following a disappointing 2026 World Cup.

However, Félix Sánchez remains in contention despite a reported change in the situation surrounding his potential appointment.

The former Qatar coach had appeared to move closer to the Algeria job in recent days, with negotiations reportedly reaching an advanced stage and an agreement said to have been discussed on several elements of his contract.

Those talks have since cooled, according to the report.

Sánchez is reportedly also in discussions with South Korea while citing family commitments to the FAF. The uncertainty surrounding his position has encouraged the Algerian federation to explore alternative candidates.

The search therefore remains wide open, with Sánchez and Bento among the known names, alongside the unidentified Spanish coach who is currently under contract.

Other candidates are also understood to remain under consideration as the FAF continues its efforts to find Petkovic’s successor.

The federation reportedly wants to announce its decision before 20 August, but the changing situation around the candidates means the process remains unresolved.

For now, Algeria’s next manager is still unknown, with the FAF continuing to assess several options before making its final decision.