Vladimir Petkovic appears set to leave his role as Algeria manager, with the Football Federation of Algeria (FAF) reportedly agreeing terms with the Swiss-Bosnian coach to end his contract only two months after it was extended until 2028.
The FAF is expected to consider a number of candidates before drawing up a shortlist, with preference seemingly being given to a coach from Spain or Portugal. Jose Peseiro, whose name was examined by the federation two years ago, has emerged as one of the Portuguese options.
According to journalist Samir Djabali, former Algeria captain Anthar Yahia has formally begun his new assignment and is already in Algiers. He is expected to become first assistant in the next manager’s coaching staff.
Yahia’s arrival points to a clear desire from the FAF to involve more Algerian coaches around the incoming head coach. Petkovic had reportedly agreed to reshape his backroom team, but eventually concluded that the necessary conditions were no longer in place for him to continue.
Herve Renard has been regularly mentioned as a possible candidate, although the federation may instead turn to a manager from the Iberian Peninsula. The page Paradou Talents reports that Peseiro is among the Portuguese names being assessed.
The 66-year-old is already familiar to officials at Dely Ibrahim, where the FAF is based. In February 2024, following Djamel Belmadi’s departure, Algeria made an offer to Peseiro while he was in charge of Nigeria.
Peseiro did not confirm the discussions at the time and kept his position unclear. He said he wanted to wait until the end of his contract with the Super Eagles before deciding between several proposals.
Algeria ultimately appointed Petkovic instead.
Peseiro later led Nigeria to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before leaving the national team. Since then, his managerial career has continued to take him through a series of different challenges.
He subsequently worked at Zamalek, but was dismissed while the Egyptian club were third in the league and had reached the final of the Egypt Cup.
In January 2026, Peseiro moved to Al-Ula in the Saudi second division, signing a contract that runs until June 2027.
His record includes extensive experience at club and international level, as well as previous work in African football. His trophy haul is more modest, despite winning the Egyptian championship with Al-Ahly, the Portuguese League Cup with Braga and reaching the UEFA Cup final with Sporting.
Should the FAF appoint him, the federation would therefore be relying principally on his experience and his ability to operate in high-pressure football environments, rather than on an extensive list of major honours.
With Petkovic’s departure apparently moving closer, Algeria now faces another coaching change and could return to a candidate it first approached after Belmadi’s exit two years ago.
