Vladimir Petkovic’s departure as Algeria manager may have cost the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) far more than the €480,000 initially reported. Three months after the Bosnian coach left his position, new claims suggest his severance payment could have been worth several million euros.
Petkovic left the role at the beginning of August. The initial account was that he had agreed to end his contract by mutual consent in return for three months’ salary.
However, figures previously reported in August and recently relayed by journalist Mohammed Nedjari indicate that the financial terms may have been significantly different.
According to the claims cited by Nedjari, Petkovic received the equivalent of 24 months’ salary to bring his time in charge of Algeria to an end.
With his monthly salary estimated at €160,000, that would put the value of the compensation package at €3.84m.
That figure would be eight times higher than the €480,000 announced when Petkovic departed. The allegations have not been officially confirmed and remain disputed, but they have raised questions about the actual terms agreed between the coach and the FAF.
The version presented at the time was markedly different. Explanations attributed to FAF president Walid Sadi during a meeting of the Federal Bureau stated that Petkovic had agreed to give up a substantial part of the money to which he could have been entitled.
The intention, according to that account, was to avoid terminating the contract unilaterally and the potentially expensive legal process that could have followed for the federation.
The final cost to the FAF may also have extended beyond the manager’s severance payment.
Information released at the time indicated that Petkovic was due to receive additional bonuses, including €150,000 for reaching the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
Members of his coaching staff were also reportedly entitled to separate departure payments, adding further financial commitments for the federation.
The difference between the two figures now being discussed has intensified the controversy. The initially reported €480,000 stands against the €3.84m claimed in the latest reports, leaving a substantial gap between the two accounts.
The dispute centres on the decision to extend Petkovic’s contract shortly before the World Cup. The FAF’s choice has been criticised not only because the sporting gamble did not deliver the expected outcome, but also because the financial consequences of ending the agreement may have been considerable.
