Algeria move closer to naming new manager as Pioli talks collapse

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) is reported to have received favourable responses from Felix Sanchez and Tom Saintfiet as it searches for a successor to Vladimir Petkovic, while a potential move for Stefano Pioli has reportedly ended over financial demands.

The managerial search has taken several twists since Petkovic left his position, with a number of candidates emerging before discussions failed to progress. The latest reports suggest the FAF now has two possible options who have accepted the conditions and salary on offer.

Sanchez, the former manager of Qatar, and Saintfiet are both said to have agreed to the federation’s proposal, according to Dzair Tube. The report adds that the package would be worth no more than 160,000 euros per month.

Sanchez’s involvement is particularly notable because reports earlier this week suggested the FAF had become concerned about his situation. The Spanish coach, who was born in Barcelona, was suspected of negotiating at the same time with the South Korea national team.

Those concerns had reportedly led the federation to reconsider his candidacy. However, Sanchez is now said to have accepted the terms put forward by Algeria, adding another layer of uncertainty to a process that has already seen several changes in direction.

Saintfiet is also reported to have agreed to the same financial conditions. The Belgian coach has worked in a number of international roles and remains among the candidates being considered by the FAF.

The federation is nevertheless understood to be delaying a final decision after receiving additional applications. Those newly submitted CVs are said to include one from Paulo Bento, as well as that of a Spanish coach who is currently under contract.

Pioli’s name had briefly emerged as another possible solution. Khaled Mazouzi, a journalist with AL24news, reported that the former coach of Inter Milan, AC Milan and Fiorentina had entered the race to become Algeria’s next manager.

His candidacy appeared to surprise observers because Pioli comes from the Italian coaching tradition rather than the Spanish school reportedly favoured by some within the federation. The FAF is believed to have made initial enquiries before quickly ending its interest.

El Heddaf TV reported that Pioli’s financial requirements were considered too high. His potential appointment therefore disappeared almost as quickly as the possibility was first reported.

The latest developments leave the FAF with at least two candidates who are believed to have accepted its proposed conditions, although the arrival of further applications means the federation has not yet finalised its choice. The situation remains fluid, with Sanchez and Saintfiet currently presented as the leading names while Bento and an unnamed Spanish coach remain under consideration.