The Algerian Football Federation has moved quickly to reshape the national team’s coaching structure, with the Xavi option now closed after negotiations encountered a financial obstacle.
The federation’s immediate priority is to settle the departure of Bosnia and Herzegovina manager Vladimir Petkovic, with an initial agreement reportedly reached to terminate his contract. Petkovic is set to receive compensation equivalent to three months of his salary, with an official announcement on his exit expected to follow.
The agreement is understood to clear the way for Algeria to continue its search for a new head coach, after the federation identified a high-profile candidate as its preferred choice. However, the financial demands involved proved difficult to overcome and brought the pursuit of Xavi to an end.
No further details have been given about the precise terms of the discussions or the size of the financial gap that prevented the move from progressing. The outcome means Algeria must now consider its next option while continuing to work on the appointment of Petkovic’s successor.
The federation had acted with urgency after deciding to address the managerial position and had initially focused on a major name. The move to agree Petkovic’s compensation suggests that the process surrounding the national team is already under way, even though the identity of the next coach has not been confirmed.
Spanish coaching route remains Algeria’s preference
Despite the setback involving Xavi, the Spanish coaching tradition remains the direction favoured by the Algerian Football Federation. The federation’s search is therefore still focused on a coach from the Spanish school, rather than marking a complete change of its preferred approach.
The collapse of the Xavi option is linked to the financial difficulty that emerged during negotiations, not to a decision to abandon the Spanish route altogether. Algeria’s next move will determine whether another coach from that background can be identified and brought into the process.
For now, the most concrete development is the preliminary settlement with Petkovic. His departure has yet to be formally announced, but the reported agreement over three months of salary as compensation places the termination of his contract close to completion.
The Algerian Football Federation is expected to make the arrangement official before confirming its next steps in the hunt for a new national team manager. Until then, the coaching file remains open, with the Spanish school still the stated target and the Xavi route no longer under consideration.
Source: Kooora. All rights reserved, Kooora ©2026.
