Algeria U20 coach Razik Nedder steps down ahead of AFCON qualifiers

Algeria’s Under-20 national team will have a new head coach after Razik Nedder confirmed his departure, ending an 18-month spell in charge of the young Desert Foxes.

The 39-year-old announced his resignation in a statement published on his official X account, bringing to a close a tenure that began in March 2025.

His exit comes with the Algeria U20 side preparing for the upcoming U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, which begins in September under the North African Football Union (UNAF).

Although Nedder spent a year and a half leading the youth programme, the team did not play an official competitive match during his time in charge.

Despite that, the former coach said he remained fully committed to developing the next generation of Algerian footballers and believes the squad is now ready for the challenges ahead.

Reflecting on his departure, Nedder expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve Algerian football while explaining that the time had come to pursue a new stage in his coaching career.

“After a year and a half of hard work, during which I never counted my time, energy, or commitment to my country, with the desire to contribute to building and leaving a real mark on our youth teams, as well as our U20 team, whose staff and players are ready to take on the challenges ahead, it is now time for me to take a new step in my career.

I leave this adventure with a great deal of gratitude and emotion, but also with the enthusiasm to join a new and ambitious project that will allow me to continue to grow.”

Reports indicate that Nedder is expected to remain in football at a high level, with several reliable sources linking him to a move to French Ligue 1 side Le Havre.

He is reportedly in line to become assistant coach to Didier Digard, a role that would represent another significant step in his coaching development following his work in the youth system at Saint-Étienne.

Nedder also made it clear that his decision should not be viewed as turning his back on Algerian football. Instead, he described the move as an opportunity to gain valuable experience before potentially returning in the future.

“I hope this departure will be seen for what it is: that of an Algerian coach leaving to compete at the highest level in order to gain even more experience, with the ambition of returning one day even better to serve his country.”

His departure means the Algerian Football Federation will now have to appoint a successor before the start of the U20 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The new coach will inherit a squad that has spent months preparing for continental competition and will be tasked with guiding the young Desert Foxes through the qualifying tournament.

With qualification for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon, Algeria’s focus now turns to ensuring a smooth coaching transition while maintaining the progress made within the youth setup during Nedder’s tenure.