Vladimir Petkovic Takes Charge: A New Era for Algerian Football

Since the fiasco in Ivory Coast during the last African Cup of Nations, the Algerian Football Federation has had a big thorn in its side with Djamel Belmadi. We are not talking about a thorn that could stop a fight in the PFL, but of a real big problem which has plagued and is still ruining the life of the FAF for weeks. Indeed, President Walid Sadi and his teams had to manage complicated negotiations with Belmadi, while looking for a new coach. And if the case of the former coach of the Greens is not yet officially resolved, that of the new coach finally is. On February 29, Vladimir Petkovic (60 years old) was appointed head of the Greens. At the start of the week, he signed his contract before giving his first press conference. The opportunity to say more about his project.

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Petkovic is at work

“My first goal is to improve in each match and take it step by step. For me the next match is more important than the previous one. As a coach, it is important to aim further. For now, it is important to know each of the players. We will set short-term objectives. For the moment, it is very important to develop the players on the pitch to have an idea of ​​my group. On this subject, he confided: “we have already drawn up a first list which includes 45 players. I already have some knowledge of Algerian football. There is no question of making a difference between those who play here or in Europe, the important thing is to put together a group of 23 who give their all on the pitch (…) I don’t want to give names. We are already going to leave with the players who made up the core of the national team.

Read Yacine Adli decided between Algeria and France!

Then he indicated: “There will also be players joining the roster for the first time. The list remains open and broad. We will discuss the possibility of adding new names. We will not limit ourselves to just the 23 players (…) For the moment, no player is excluded from the project.” The Algerian group is therefore open for the March gathering during which the Fennecs will face Bolivia (March 22) and South Africa (March 26) in friendly matches. In the meantime, the former Switzerland coach is working on his first list, the first outlines of which are slowly beginning to take shape. As he explained at a press conference, players present during the Djamel Belmadi era will be called up. However, certain doubts arose after the failure in Ivory Coast concerning aging executives of the national team.

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Little new features and the absence of Belaïli

This was the case of captain Riyad Mahrez. But the latter wants to continue in the selection. According to The Gazette du Fennec, the former City player, who has been widely criticized in particular for his level, should appear well in the first list. Ditto for scorer Baghdad Bounedjah. Author of 3 goals during the last CAN, the attacker will be present. On the other hand, the Algerian media indicates that Youcef Belaïli will not be there. The enfant terrible of Algerian football, who was recently suspended for 6 matches, 4 of which were suspended, is clearly not in Petkovic’s favor. Islam Slimani is ready to continue with the Greens. Like Sofiane Feghouli and Raïs M’Bolhi, whose intentions we do not know, the GdF explains that he would not “no surprise to see Petkovic dispense with services in the short or medium term” of these elders.

We will indeed have to make way for the new generation at some point. But some executives believe that young people are not yet ready to take over according to the Algerian media. Regarding what’s new compared to the previous list, Vladimir Petkovic already has some ideas in mind. Or rather a few names. The Gazette du Fennec explains that Rafik Guitane (Estoril), Anis Hadj Moussa (Vitesse Arnhem), Monsef Bakrar (New York FC), Ahmed Kendouci (on loan to Ceramica), Aymen Mahious (Yverdon-Sport) and Haithem Loucif (on loan to Lausanne) are in the sights of the new staff. Some will be present at the national technical center of Sidi Moussa during the next course. On the other hand, we will not see Yacine Adli. Courted by the Greens, the AC Milan midfielder recently confirmed that he wanted to play for France. One less file to manage for Vladimir Petkovic who has his work cut out for him.

Pub. 03/08/2024 9:03 p.m. Updated 03/08/2024 9:47 p.m.

2024-03-08 20:03:16
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