Algeria weigh Spanish and Portuguese options as Fennecs coaching search begins

Algeria’s search for a new head coach will move into a decisive phase on Thursday, when the National Technical College meets to discuss the candidates to succeed Vladimir Petkovic.

The meeting will take place at Sidi Moussa on 6 August, according to the Algerian press, after the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) formally approved Petkovic’s departure.

The FAF’s federal bureau met on Monday and agreed a series of measures concerning the future of the national team. The most significant was the confirmation of Petkovic’s exit by mutual consent, bringing his spell in charge to an end.

Members of the National Technical College are expected to attend Thursday’s meeting. The group includes figures who previously assessed Petkovic’s record after the World Cup, among them Rabah Saadane, Algeria’s under-23 manager Rafik Saifi and technical director Ali Moucer.

The panel is expected to examine the available options before deciding whether to endorse the current preference within the FAF for a coach from Spain or Portugal.

Several prominent names had been linked with the position. Herve Renard was considered a natural candidate, but he has chosen to return to Cote d’Ivoire. Eric Chelle is also regarded as difficult to prise away from Nigeria, narrowing the field of readily available alternatives.

At present, two candidates are understood to be leading the discussion. Rafael Benitez is one of them, although his standing has been affected by a recent decline in his coaching career despite an impressive CV.

Jose Peseiro is also being considered. The Portuguese coach came close to taking the Algeria job in 2024 and is described by journalist Romain Molina as a possible alternative if the FAF does not secure its preferred candidate.

Roberto Martinez would be viewed as an especially ambitious appointment, but his financial demands are considered beyond Algeria’s reach. He is available after leaving Portugal following the 2026 World Cup, although the cost of appointing him makes the move appear unrealistic at this stage.

The National Technical College will therefore play a central role in determining whether Algeria proceeds with a Spanish or Portuguese coach, or changes direction during the recruitment process.

The meeting comes after the FAF took the first formal step towards rebuilding the national team by confirming Petkovic’s departure. With Renard committed to Cote d’Ivoire, Chelle difficult to attract from Nigeria and Martinez viewed as financially inaccessible, attention is now focused on whether Benitez or Peseiro can emerge as the leading choice for the Fennecs.