Algeria close in on Felix Sanchez Bas despite questions over Qatar record

Algeria appear close to appointing former Qatar manager Felix Sanchez Bas as the successor to Vladimir Petkovic, despite growing debate over the Spanish coach’s record and suitability for the role.

The latest indications emerged from a meeting of the Algerian Football Federation’s National Technical College, where discussions reportedly focused less on identifying a new manager and more on completing the formal process for Sanchez Bas’s appointment.

According to Algerian newspaper El Khabar, Ali Moucer, the national technical director, National Technical College coordinator Rabah Saadane and National Technical Directorate member Karim Kacied all gave clear signals that Sanchez Bas had been the preferred candidate from the outset.

The officials highlighted the strength of the Spanish coaching school, while stressing that the next Algeria manager would not be expected to impose a strict “tiki-taka” approach. Instead, he would be asked to develop a philosophy suited to the national team’s abilities and the characteristics of its players.

The other names on the shortlist appear to have been considered largely as alternatives. They included Roberto Martinez, Tom Saintfiet, Frank de Boer and Rafael Benitez.

Discussions indicated that Benitez had demanded to bring an 11-member backroom staff with him, a condition that was not accepted by the Algerian federation.

Language was also raised as a possible problem if an Spanish-speaking coach were appointed. However, Moucer, Saadane and Kacied reportedly insisted that communication would not create an obstacle because former Algeria international Antar Yahia is expected to join the senior team’s coaching staff.

Yahia’s command of Spanish would allow him to act as an intermediary between Sanchez Bas and the players.

One notable suggestion at the meeting came from Boualem Charef, the technical director of MC Alger. He proposed appointing a second Algerian assistant alongside Yahia and put forward former international defender Samir Zaoui as a candidate.

Charef argued that Zaoui had the personality and experience required to make a meaningful contribution to the technical staff. Saadane’s broad smile in response to the proposal attracted particular attention, with some viewing it as a sign of more than simple politeness and possibly an initial acceptance of the idea.

Several factors appear to favour Sanchez Bas. Crucially, he is reportedly willing to work with an Algerian assistant, a condition the federation has insisted upon. Some of the other coaches considered were less enthusiastic about accepting that arrangement.

Financial considerations are also believed to have strengthened his position, with Sanchez Bas’s demands understood to be lower than those of the other managers contacted.

However, the possible appointment has prompted questions over the technical criteria used by the federation, particularly given that several rival candidates possess greater European experience and more extensive coaching records.

Sanchez Bas achieved the biggest success of his career when he guided Qatar to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup title. That progress was followed by a difficult World Cup campaign in 2022, hosted by Qatar, when the team lost all three group matches without earning a point. Qatar became one of the weakest host nations in World Cup history.

His next assignment, as Ecuador manager, also ended without the expected success. The Ecuadorian federation terminated his contract after the team’s Copa America campaign in July 2024, when Ecuador were eliminated by reigning champions Argentina.

Although the results were not regarded as disastrous, criticism centred on Sanchez Bas’s style of play and his tactical decisions, contributing to his departure.

His most recent experience, with Qatari club Al Sadd, ended prematurely too. His contract was initially due to run until July 2026, but the relationship was terminated in mid-October 2025 after a decline in domestic results and failure in the AFC Champions League.

Reservations also extend beyond tactical matters to Sanchez Bas’s management of the dressing room. Reports from Doha, including comments from Algerian players and players of Algerian origin who previously worked under him, describe his personality as complex and his approach to dealing with players as difficult.

Those concerns raise the possibility of problems establishing a strong working relationship between Sanchez Bas and Yahia, as well as challenges in developing a positive connection with Algeria’s players if the Spanish coach is formally appointed to lead the Desert Warriors.