After turning the page on Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic, Algerian media sources confirmed that coach Ibrahim Hamdani is close to assuming the technical reins of the “Greens” in the coming period. Hamdani, a former Marseille player, won gold in football with the Algerian youth team during the Mediterranean Games held in Taranto, Italy, after defeating his Tunisian counterpart in the final 2-0.
Published on: 02/09/2026 - 15:31 Last updated: 03/09/2026 - 07:55
Coach Ibrahim Hamdani is close to succeeding Swiss Vladimir Petkovic as head of the Algerian national football team, according to what Algerian media sources reported.
Hamdani is no stranger to Algerian football circles, as he won the football gold medal with the “Greens” youth team last weekend at the Mediterranean Games, which were held in Taranto, Italy, after defeating his Tunisian counterpart in the final match (2-0).
His predecessor Petkovic's period with the national team ended following the World Cup after criticism of the coach and his football philosophy, which observers considered to be behind the "modest performance" during the 2026 World Cup.
Read also: Walid Regragui’s departure from the Moroccan national team before the 2026 World Cup and the appointment of Mohamed Wehbe as his successor
"logical choice"
Algerian journalist Yassine Maaloumi revealed to France 24 that Hamdani is expected to meet on Wednesday with officials from the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), awaiting a decision to be made next Saturday at the Federal Office meeting. Adding that all indicators point towards appointing Hamdani as coach of the team.
Maaloumi considered it logical for Hamdani to assume the position until the 2027 African Cup of Nations, and added: “I think that the local coach has become a trend in the region” with local coaches assuming the technical reins of the national teams of Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco.
Maaloumi also stressed that “the local coach, from a financial standpoint, is inexpensive... For example, Petkovic was receiving 160,000 euros per month... a lot of money. I think the local coach would accept to coach for a quarter of this salary.”
Who is Ibrahim Hamdani?
Hamdani (48 years old), who was born in France, played during his football career in the Cannes, Strasbourg and Olympique Marseille teams, and also had experience with Scottish Glasgow Rangers.
In his coaching career, Hamdani coached small teams in France before landing this year in Algeria to coach the youth national team.
France 24
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