Walter Mazzarri is reportedly close to an agreement with the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) to become the new manager of Algeria, with the Italian now considered the leading candidate for the position.
The FAF has continued its search for a successor to Vladimir Petkovic, who left the role a few weeks ago. According to Algerian outlet AL24news, discussions with Mazzarri have advanced and the 64-year-old is in a strong position to take charge of the national team, known as the Fennecs or “Verts”.
No final agreement has yet been announced by the FAF, but Mazzarri has emerged as the latest prominent name linked with the vacancy. Further talks are expected to determine whether the former Napoli manager will be appointed to lead Algeria.
Mazzarri has extensive experience in European football and has managed several high-profile clubs during his career. His previous teams include Napoli, Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Watford.
His time at Napoli is regarded as the standout period of his managerial career. He guided the club to victory in the Italian Cup in 2012 before overseeing a second-place finish in Serie A in 2013.
That record has placed Mazzarri ahead of other names being considered by the Algerian federation as it seeks to settle on a new manager. The search has already involved more than one Italian option, but the latest report suggests Mazzarri is now the clearest possibility.
The possibility of appointing Stefano Pioli is understood to have become less likely. Meanwhile, the route to appointing Tiago Pinto has reportedly been blocked by disagreements over the make-up of his coaching staff.
Those developments have strengthened Mazzarri’s position in the process, although the FAF has not confirmed that a contract has been agreed. The federation’s ongoing discussions will establish whether the former Napoli, Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Watford manager is ultimately chosen to take charge of Algeria.
For now, Mazzarri remains the leading candidate rather than the confirmed appointment. The next stage of negotiations is expected to clarify whether he will become the latest coach to take control of the Verts following Petkovic’s departure.