During his induction press conference, the new Algeria coach announced that he was making a clean sweep of the past.
For six years, Djamel Belmadi was the coach of Algeria, experiencing varying fortunes. Success first of all, with a victory at the African Cup of Nations in 2019. Then bitter failures, with two eliminations during the group stages of this same competition (2021 and 2024) and a non-qualification for the 2022 World Cup.
His successor is Vladimir Petkovic. The 60-year-old technician will have to face an immense challenge. “It is important to start from scratch, to ensure that the players give their best for a people who expect a lot from them. They are a people who have had great success in the past. Through my work, I will try to live up to my mission”announced this former Croatian footballer from Bosnia-Herzegovina, naturalized Swiss, at a press conference.
Positive pressure
“I’m used to working under pressure. Working without pressure in football is not positive, this is completely normal. Algeria’s pressure reminds me of Lazio’continues the man who coached the Italian club during the 2012-2013 financial year, specifying that he will call on the best players, without favoring those who play in Europe.
Vladimir Petkovic will have his first experience in Africa. In the past, the native of Sarajevo mainly distinguished himself at the head of Switzerland, of which he was the coach, replacing Ottmar Hitzfeld after the 2014 World Cup.
