Saudi Arabia linked with former Algeria manager Vladimir Petkovic in surprise move

Reports in the media suggest the Saudi Football Federation is considering a move to appoint Vladimir Petkovic as the new manager of the Saudi Arabia national team.

The possible deal would represent a major development involving the former Algeria manager, although there has been no confirmation that an agreement has been completed or that Petkovic has formally taken charge of Saudi Arabia.

According to the reports, the Saudi Football Federation is heading towards a contract with the Swiss coach, whose previous role was with the Algeria national team. The claims have prompted speculation over whether Petkovic could soon begin a new international coaching assignment with Saudi Arabia.

The reports also state that Petkovic has ended his contract with the Algerian Football Federation by mutual consent. Reliable sources inside the Algerian federation reportedly attributed that decision to Algeria’s disappointing performance at the most recent FIFA World Cup finals.

Algeria’s campaign ended with elimination by Switzerland in the round of 32. That underwhelming showing is cited as the reason for the mutually agreed termination of Petkovic’s contract.

At this stage, the information centres on a reported direction of travel rather than a completed appointment. The available claims indicate that Saudi Arabia are looking towards Petkovic, while sources from within the Algerian federation are said to have confirmed his departure from his previous position.

Petkovic’s name is therefore at the centre of two connected developments: his reported exit from Algeria and the possibility of him becoming manager of Saudi Arabia. However, the reports do not contain confirmation that the Saudi Football Federation has finalised the proposed agreement.

The Swiss coach’s future became the subject of renewed attention after the reports about his contract in Algeria and the Saudi interest emerged together. The key question is whether the reported talks will result in an official appointment, or whether the speculation will stop short of a completed deal.

For now, the reports describe a potential high-profile change in the Saudi Arabia national team dugout. They also identify the latest World Cup campaign and Algeria’s defeat by Switzerland in the round of 32 as the background to Petkovic’s reported departure from the Algerian national team.

No further details about the proposed contract, the timing of any appointment or the terms of a possible agreement have been provided in the reports. As a result, the suggestion that Petkovic will lead Saudi Arabia remains unconfirmed, despite the claims that the Saudi Football Federation is moving towards signing the former Algeria manager.