Algeria Without Manager: Moussa Saïb Steps In Three Weeks After Petkovic's Departure

Three weeks after Vladimir Petkovic’s dismissal, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has still not appointed a new head coach. Former midfielder Moussa Saïb, named general manager of the national team, and ex-defender Antar Yahia, assistant to the coaching staff, are handling interim duties pending an official appointment postponed to mid-September.

The situation follows a particularly disappointing 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign for the Fennecs: just one victory, against Jordan, before elimination in the round of 16 against Switzerland (2-0). Petkovic, whose record had already been questioned after a quarter-final exit at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, had been contract-extended before ultimately being removed.

Since then, the FAF has allowed a succession of names to circulate without ever materializing. Despite a salary cap of 100,000 euros per month, media outlets have successively mentioned Rafa Benitez, Walter Mazzarri, Paulo Bento, Felix Sanchez Bas, and Igor Tudor. In recent days, negotiations are reportedly underway with Uruguayan Gustavo Poyet, who is French-speaking after playing and coaching at Grenoble and Bordeaux, while Roberto Martinez — who has managed three World Cups — is said to have expressed interest by accepting the proposed salary.

In the meantime, Antar Yahia is tasked with drawing up the preliminary squad for the September 21 gathering, which will see Algeria play two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying matches. He will act in consultation with Moussa Saïb. “Moussa, amid all the noise, brings wisdom and calm. With the experience he has, he’s a very good asset for the national team,” former international Abdelmalek Cherrad told Afrik-Foot.

Saïb is one of the standout figures in Algerian football. Spotted in 1992 by Guy Roux, who counted him among Europe’s best players, he played for AJ Auxerre where he won the Coupe de France in 1994 against Montpellier (3-0), scoring the opening goal himself. He was later instrumental in AJA’s domestic league and cup double in 1996, alongside Laurent Blanc, Lionel Charbonnier, and Bernard Diomède. After transitioning to coaching, he notably managed JS Kabylie on two occasions.