Marcos Paquetá’s tenure at USM Alger is under increasing scrutiny following a series of poor results that have left the club floundering in both domestic and continental competitions.
After crashing out in the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup, USM Alger’s struggles continued in Ligue 1 with a damaging 2-1 defeat to JS Kabylie on Saturday evening.
The loss extended the club’s winless run in the league, with their last victory coming over a month ago on March 6 — a narrow 1-0 result against ES Mostaganem, secured only by an own goal from Djamel Benlamri.
Despite reaching the final of the Algerian Cup after a hard-fought win over rivals USM Harrach, tensions are mounting around the Brazilian coach’s position.
The looming final against CR Belouizdad offers some hope, but it may not be enough to quell growing dissatisfaction among supporters and within the club’s leadership.
Paquetá, formerly at the helm of CR Belouizdad, is facing criticism over both his tactical decisions and player selections.
His track record at USMA paints a concerning picture: just two wins, one draw, and two losses in the league since taking over from Nabil Maâloul.
The pressure is amplified by the fact that USMA currently sit joint fifth in the league table, level on 33 points with MC El Bayadh but with two games in hand — matches that could prove decisive.
Club president Othmane Sehbane has so far refrained from making a final judgment on the coach’s future, adopting a cautious stance as the season approaches its climax.
However, this patience may wear thin if Paquetá fails to secure a strong finish in the league or deliver silverware in the upcoming cup final.
The scenario has echoes of Paquetá’s turbulent stint with CR Belouizdad, where despite clinching the national title, he was dismissed shortly thereafter.
That past experience now casts a shadow over his time with USMA, especially given the heightened expectations following his arrival in Algiers.
USM Alger’s next challenge comes away to JS Saoura in Béchar for Matchday 24 — a match that could either reignite their push for a top-three finish or deepen the club’s crisis.
As the season enters its decisive phase, the margin for error is rapidly shrinking for both Paquetá and the Red and Black.
