Algeria’s coaching search reaches shortlist stage as rival sources disagree over leading candidate

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) is expected to consider eight candidates for the vacant national team manager’s position when its national technical committee meets on Thursday.

The meeting follows the departure of Vladimir Petkovic, with several Algerian sources confirming that the committee will review applications before making recommendations to the federation. According to El Hayat TV, all eight candidates are Spanish profiles.

The shortlist includes Rafael Benitez, whose possible appointment was first reported several days ago, as well as Marcelino, the former Olympique de Marseille manager, and Quique Setien, who previously coached Barcelona.

Juan Ramon Lopez, another former Real Madrid coach, is also among the names being assessed. The list further features Imanol Alguacil, formerly of Real Sociedad, and Felix Sanchez, who has managed both Qatar and Ecuador.

The two remaining candidates are Albert Celades, who is currently in charge at Pafos FC in Cyprus, and Juanma Lillo, the former assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

The identity of the leading candidate remains unclear, with reports from Algerian media offering different versions of the situation.

El Khabar has reported that Benitez is the favourite to become Algeria’s next manager. His experience at the highest level is understood to be viewed positively by the Algerian football authorities.

Should negotiations with Benitez fail, the FAF could reportedly turn to Sanchez as an alternative.

However, La Gazette du Fennec has claimed that Sanchez is instead the leading contender. The conflicting reports mean that no candidate can yet be considered certain to take the role.

The next manager’s salary could also influence the negotiations. The FAF is not expected to offer more than €160,000 per month to the successful candidate.

The technical committee’s review will therefore be an important stage in the process, although the final decision will rest with the federation. No appointment has yet been confirmed.

The search comes after Petkovic’s departure and leaves the FAF weighing candidates with experience across some of Europe’s leading clubs and international teams. Benitez and Lopez have both worked at Real Madrid, while Setien has managed Barcelona. Sanchez has international experience with Qatar and Ecuador, and Lillo has worked alongside Guardiola at Manchester City.

Celades is the only candidate identified as currently holding a club position, with the former Spain Under-21 manager working at Pafos FC in Cyprus. Alguacil, meanwhile, is included among the shortlisted names after his spell at Real Sociedad.

The committee is expected to compare the eight profiles before sending its recommendations to the FAF. The disagreement between El Khabar and La Gazette du Fennec means the outcome of that assessment will be closely watched, particularly over whether Benitez or Sanchez emerges as the federation’s preferred choice.