The Algeria Football Federation is eyeing a move for Super Eagles’ coach Jose Peseiro to become their next manager following the sacking of Djamel Belmadi after a poor outing at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
While Peseiro led Nigeria to the final of the 34th edition of the AFCON in his first attempt to become one of the most popular coaches on the continent, Belmadi failed to make it out of their Group E after finishing bottom of the group with just two points.
According to an Algerian publication, DZ Foot, the president of the Algerian football federation, Walid Sadi, has been seduced by Peseiro’s credentials and is willing to have a chat with the Portuguese tactician on taking over their national team job.
“Not made public, the shortlist established by the ad-hoc commission set up by the FAF, is made up of three names, namely José Peseiro (63 years old), Vladimir Petkovic (60 years old) and Carlos Queiroz (70 years old) ,” the website wrote.
“While the name of Carlos Queiroz has come back in force in recent days as being the final choice of the FAF, according to our information this would ultimately not be the case and José Peseiro becomes the preferential choice of Walid Sadi.
“Indeed the one who took Nigeria to the CAN 2023 final would be in direct contact with the president of the Algerian football federation who would have been seduced by his profile and his speech without forgetting the financial aspect.”
Algeria won the AFCON in 2019, beating Nigeria in the semi-finals. However, the Fennec Foxes failed to make it past the group stage of the 2021 and 2023 editions and have not won any of their last six games in the competition.
Peseiro’s contract with the Nigeria Football Federation expired at the conclusion of the AFCON, but it is not yet clear if the football governing body wants to extend his deal.
The 63-year-old was appointed head coach of the Super Eagles May 2022.
Since his appointment, Peseiro has taken charge of 22 games winning 11 games; suffered seven losses and recorded four draws.
