One of Africa's biggest teams has officially confirmed its new coach, reportedly making a U-turn on a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations boss who had been linked with the job.
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has announced its decision to appoint Vladimir Petkovic as the side's new manager, filling the vacant role previously occupied by Djamel Belmadi.
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— Équipe d'Algérie de football (@LesVerts) February 29, 2024
"The Algerian Football Federation reaches a final agreement with Bosnian coach Vladimir Petkovic to supervise the senior national football team," FAF said in a statement.
It added that the freshly-appointed boss will arrive in Algeria next Sunday and will hold a press conference the very next day.
His appointment comes after the role was reportedly offered to Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro, who was said to have sent the Greens a written acceptance to take up the position.
It was also claimed at the time, however, that the man who took Nigeria to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations was not the association's preferred candidate for the role, with Petkovic believed to have always been top of FAF's list of candidates.
The former Switzerland manager will now be tasked with trying to get Algeria back to their previous heights.
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The Fennec Foxes became African champions for the second time when they won AFCON 2019. However, the side failed to defend its title in the following edition of the tournament, failing to advance past the group stage.
Not much changed at the latest instalment of Africa's showpiece competition in the Ivory Coast, with Algeria unable to record a single victory, once again failing to advance to the knockout rounds.
Following another underwhelming campaign, the country's football federation decided to part ways with Belmadi after that tournament.
Algeria, under its new leadership, will now turn their attention towards AFCON 2025, which is set to take place in Morocco, while also trying to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Before that, however, Petkovic and his men will take on Bolivia and South Africa in international friendlies scheduled to take place on 22 and 26 March.
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