The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has reportedly reached out to football icon Zinédine Zidane to fill the void left by Djamel Belmadi as the head coach of the Fennecs. The proposition was made by the new influential figure in the Algerian Federation, Walid Sadi, who considered the 51-year-old Zidane due to his familial connections with Algeria, according to revelations by French media outlet L’Équipe on Friday.
Zinédine Zidane, known for his illustrious career as a player and more recently as the coach of Real Madrid, was approached by the FAF after Djamel Belmadi’s departure following the Algerian national team’s unexpected elimination in the first round of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
However, the FAF’s pursuit of Zidane faced a setback as the former Real Madrid coach declined the offer.
Despite being unattached to any contractual obligations, Zidane turned down the Algerian proposal, reiterating his longstanding preference for the French national team if he were to consider coaching an international side.
L’Équipe highlighted that Zidane had recently rejected offers from Brazil and the United States as well.
The FAF, in its quest to find a suitable replacement for Belmadi, reportedly explored alternative options.
Hervé Renard, Vahid Halilhodzic, Vladimir Petković, and Jorge Sampaoli were among the names considered by the Algerian Football Federation as potential successors.
In a public announcement on Wednesday, Walid Sadi, the president of the FAF, revealed the amicable termination of Djamel Belmadi’s contract in the aftermath of Algeria’s early exit from the AFCON in Ivory Coast.
The unexpected approach to Zinédine Zidane adds an intriguing dimension to the unfolding narrative of Algeria’s coaching transition and sets the stage for further speculation regarding the Fennecs’ next leader.
