The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has ended Vladimir Petkovic’s time as national team manager by mutual agreement, saying the conditions of “serenity, stability and confidence” needed for their relationship to continue no longer existed.
The decision was announced on Monday evening, shortly after Algeria were eliminated in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup.
The split had appeared increasingly likely after the FAF placed greater demands on Petkovic. He was required to reshape his technical staff and spend at least three weeks each month in Algeria.
Petkovic had signed a contract extension through to 2028 shortly before the World Cup, meaning a dismissal could have carried a significant financial cost for the federation.
On Tuesday, the FAF published details of discussions held by its federal bureau the previous day. It said federation president Walid Sadi had spoken with Petkovic “in order to examine the prospects of continuing the contractual relationship in a climate of trust, mutual respect and responsibility”.
“After these discussions, both parties reached the shared conclusion that the general context no longer made it possible to continue their collaboration under the conditions of serenity, stability and confidence required. Consequently, they agreed to end their contractual relationship through an amicable termination, while respecting their respective commitments.”
The wording suggests that, although Petkovic had initially wanted to remain in charge, the public pressure for a change had become so strong that the Swiss-Bosnian manager accepted his departure was the best solution.
The FAF did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.
Initial reports had suggested Petkovic would receive only three months’ salary, while more recent information indicated that the settlement could be worth between nine and 12 months of his earnings.
The federation has now started looking for a new manager. According to journalist Romain Molina, it would like to appoint either Rafael Benitez or Roberto Martinez.
Former Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro is another candidate being considered. The Portuguese coach had already been approached in 2024 as a possible successor to Djamel Belmadi.
Petkovic took charge of Algeria after Belmadi’s departure and had been expected to continue until at least 2028 following his contract extension. However, the team’s World Cup elimination and the increasingly difficult relationship between the manager and the federation brought an early end to his tenure.
The FAF said the agreement was reached with both sides respecting their existing obligations, but gave no further details about the compensation package or the timetable for appointing Petkovic’s successor.
The report was written by Romain Lantheaume, who says he fell in love with African football after watching Didier Drogba before discovering Afrik-Foot in 2013.