The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has drawn up a three man shortlist of coaches to replace Djamel Belmadi who was relieved off his role after a poor showing at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Algeria’s poor performance at the tournament cost the coach who won the title for them in 2019 his spot making the federation to swing into action with plans for his replacement, ahead of the likely resumption of international football in March.
A three man list which had Carlos Queiroz as the top candidate was drawn up, but reports in Algeria has it that talks with the Portuguese coach didn’t yield any breakthrough, making them to switch attention to the other two names on their shortlist.
The present coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro is seen as the second option and with his contract extension with Nigeria still not certain despite leading the team to finishing second at the AFCON, Algeria are confident of their chances in luring him.
Peseiro who is on $60,000 a month pay with Nigeria, which wasn’t paid regularly will command around $280,000 a month the same amount the former coach Belmadi was earning before his axing this month.
However if talks with Peseiro fails to progress owing to his commitment to Nigeria, they will switch to the third name on their list which is Vladimir Petkovic, the Bosnian who until recently was the coach of French Ligue 2 side Bordeaux.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman