Algeria turn to Hemdani as new head coach after Petkovic’s exit

Algeria have appointed Brahim Hemdani as their new head coach, turning to the successful U21 manager to replace Vladimir Petkovic after the World Cup. The Maghreb side impressed in the group stage, advancing from a tough pool featuring Argentina and Austria, but fell in the round of 16 to Switzerland. Despite the progress, the federation opted for a change, ending Petkovic’s tenure only months after extending his contract to 2028.

Hemdani, born near Paris and a former midfielder for Marseille, Strasbourg and Rangers, has earned strong domestic support. His standout achievement came with Algeria’s U21s, guiding them to a historic gold medal at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto. The restructuring continues with Antar Yahia joining as assistant coach and Moussa Saïb becoming sporting director.

The move reflects a growing trend among African federations to trust local coaches, and Algeria hope Hemdani can build on the promise shown during their World Cup campaign.