The Algeria Football Federation appears to be looking away from Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle in its search for a new national team coach, with former Watford assistant Karim Belhocine emerging as the leading candidate to replace Vladimir Petkovic,PUNCH Sports Extrareports.The development comes days after reports linked Chelle with the vacancy following Algeria’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though the Nigeria coach was never confirmed to have expressed interest in the role.Petkovic remains officially in charge of Algeria, but pressure has grown after the Desert Foxes were eliminated from the World Cup by Switzerland.The Algerian Football Federation is expected to discuss his future during a federal bureau meeting, although preparations for a possible coaching change are reportedly already underway, according to AfricaFoot.Belhocine, 48, has moved into pole position after impressing federation officials with his coaching experience in Belgium and his knowledge of Algerian football.Related NewsLawal tackles Mikel over Nigerian football criticismMilan need Chukwueze – AmorimOsimhen, Ejuke resume club pre-seasonsThe French-Algerian tactician recently signed as head coach of Algerian Ligue 1 giants JS Kabylie, officially taking charge on July 4. He built his reputation during spells at Anderlecht, where he served as assistant coach and caretaker manager on several occasions, and also managed Charleroi and KV Kortrijk in the Belgian Pro League before working as an assistant at Watford.According to Algerian newspaper El Khabar, the federation believes Belhocine’s UEFA Pro Licence, tactical knowledge and understanding of both European and Algerian football make him an attractive candidate.Chelle’s name had earlier surfaced in connection with the Algeria job after reports claimed the federation had contacted the Franco-Malian coach following frustration with Petkovic’s tactical decisions in the defeat to Switzerland, with his agent, Jibril Oualane, reportedly seen in Algeria for preliminary discussions. Chelle’s growing reputation on the continent, having guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before leading the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON, alongside his previous spell in charge of Algerian club MC Oran, had made him an appealing name to Algerian observers.However, Chelle remains firmly contracted to the Nigeria Football Federation, which is reportedly finalising a long-term extension that would keep him in charge of the Super Eagles until 2030. The proposed agreement is expected to double his monthly salary from $50,000 to $100,000 while also expanding his authority across Nigeria’s national team structure, including oversight of the country’s Under-23 Olympic team.Chelle was appointed in January 2025 but failed to lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup despite impressing with positive results across his first 18 months in charge. The development comes days after reports linked Chelle with the vacancy following Algeria’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though the Nigeria coach was never confirmed to have expressed interest in the role.Petkovic remains officially in charge of Algeria, but pressure has grown after the Desert Foxes were eliminated from the World Cup by Switzerland.The Algerian Football Federation is expected to discuss his future during a federal bureau meeting, although preparations for a possible coaching change are reportedly already underway, according to AfricaFoot.Belhocine, 48, has moved into pole position after impressing federation officials with his coaching experience in Belgium and his knowledge of Algerian football.Related NewsLawal tackles Mikel over Nigerian football criticismMilan need Chukwueze – AmorimOsimhen, Ejuke resume club pre-seasonsThe French-Algerian tactician recently signed as head coach of Algerian Ligue 1 giants JS Kabylie, officially taking charge on July 4. He built his reputation during spells at Anderlecht, where he served as assistant coach and caretaker manager on several occasions, and also managed Charleroi and KV Kortrijk in the Belgian Pro League before working as an assistant at Watford.According to Algerian newspaper El Khabar, the federation believes Belhocine’s UEFA Pro Licence, tactical knowledge and understanding of both European and Algerian football make him an attractive candidate.Chelle’s name had earlier surfaced in connection with the Algeria job after reports claimed the federation had contacted the Franco-Malian coach following frustration with Petkovic’s tactical decisions in the defeat to Switzerland, with his agent, Jibril Oualane, reportedly seen in Algeria for preliminary discussions. Chelle’s growing reputation on the continent, having guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before leading the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON, alongside his previous spell in charge of Algerian club MC Oran, had made him an appealing name to Algerian observers.However, Chelle remains firmly contracted to the Nigeria Football Federation, which is reportedly finalising a long-term extension that would keep him in charge of the Super Eagles until 2030. The proposed agreement is expected to double his monthly salary from $50,000 to $100,000 while also expanding his authority across Nigeria’s national team structure, including oversight of the country’s Under-23 Olympic team.Chelle was appointed in January 2025 but failed to lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup despite impressing with positive results across his first 18 months in charge. Petkovic remains officially in charge of Algeria, but pressure has grown after the Desert Foxes were eliminated from the World Cup by Switzerland.The Algerian Football Federation is expected to discuss his future during a federal bureau meeting, although preparations for a possible coaching change are reportedly already underway, according to AfricaFoot.Belhocine, 48, has moved into pole position after impressing federation officials with his coaching experience in Belgium and his knowledge of Algerian football.Related NewsLawal tackles Mikel over Nigerian football criticismMilan need Chukwueze – AmorimOsimhen, Ejuke resume club pre-seasonsThe French-Algerian tactician recently signed as head coach of Algerian Ligue 1 giants JS Kabylie, officially taking charge on July 4. He built his reputation during spells at Anderlecht, where he served as assistant coach and caretaker manager on several occasions, and also managed Charleroi and KV Kortrijk in the Belgian Pro League before working as an assistant at Watford.According to Algerian newspaper El Khabar, the federation believes Belhocine’s UEFA Pro Licence, tactical knowledge and understanding of both European and Algerian football make him an attractive candidate.Chelle’s name had earlier surfaced in connection with the Algeria job after reports claimed the federation had contacted the Franco-Malian coach following frustration with Petkovic’s tactical decisions in the defeat to Switzerland, with his agent, Jibril Oualane, reportedly seen in Algeria for preliminary discussions. Chelle’s growing reputation on the continent, having guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before leading the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON, alongside his previous spell in charge of Algerian club MC Oran, had made him an appealing name to Algerian observers.However, Chelle remains firmly contracted to the Nigeria Football Federation, which is reportedly finalising a long-term extension that would keep him in charge of the Super Eagles until 2030. The proposed agreement is expected to double his monthly salary from $50,000 to $100,000 while also expanding his authority across Nigeria’s national team structure, including oversight of the country’s Under-23 Olympic team.Chelle was appointed in January 2025 but failed to lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup despite impressing with positive results across his first 18 months in charge. The Algerian Football Federation is expected to discuss his future during a federal bureau meeting, although preparations for a possible coaching change are reportedly already underway, according to AfricaFoot.Belhocine, 48, has moved into pole position after impressing federation officials with his coaching experience in Belgium and his knowledge of Algerian football.Related NewsLawal tackles Mikel over Nigerian football criticismMilan need Chukwueze – AmorimOsimhen, Ejuke resume club pre-seasonsThe French-Algerian tactician recently signed as head coach of Algerian Ligue 1 giants JS Kabylie, officially taking charge on July 4. He built his reputation during spells at Anderlecht, where he served as assistant coach and caretaker manager on several occasions, and also managed Charleroi and KV Kortrijk in the Belgian Pro League before working as an assistant at Watford.According to Algerian newspaper El Khabar, the federation believes Belhocine’s UEFA Pro Licence, tactical knowledge and understanding of both European and Algerian football make him an attractive candidate.Chelle’s name had earlier surfaced in connection with the Algeria job after reports claimed the federation had contacted the Franco-Malian coach following frustration with Petkovic’s tactical decisions in the defeat to Switzerland, with his agent, Jibril Oualane, reportedly seen in Algeria for preliminary discussions. Chelle’s growing reputation on the continent, having guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before leading the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON, alongside his previous spell in charge of Algerian club MC Oran, had made him an appealing name to Algerian observers.However, Chelle remains firmly contracted to the Nigeria Football Federation, which is reportedly finalising a long-term extension that would keep him in charge of the Super Eagles until 2030. The proposed agreement is expected to double his monthly salary from $50,000 to $100,000 while also expanding his authority across Nigeria’s national team structure, including oversight of the country’s Under-23 Olympic team.Chelle was appointed in January 2025 but failed to lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup despite impressing with positive results across his first 18 months in charge. Belhocine, 48, has moved into pole position after impressing federation officials with his coaching experience in Belgium and his knowledge of Algerian football.Related NewsLawal tackles Mikel over Nigerian football criticismMilan need Chukwueze – AmorimOsimhen, Ejuke resume club pre-seasonsThe French-Algerian tactician recently signed as head coach of Algerian Ligue 1 giants JS Kabylie, officially taking charge on July 4. He built his reputation during spells at Anderlecht, where he served as assistant coach and caretaker manager on several occasions, and also managed Charleroi and KV Kortrijk in the Belgian Pro League before working as an assistant at Watford.According to Algerian newspaper El Khabar, the federation believes Belhocine’s UEFA Pro Licence, tactical knowledge and understanding of both European and Algerian football make him an attractive candidate.Chelle’s name had earlier surfaced in connection with the Algeria job after reports claimed the federation had contacted the Franco-Malian coach following frustration with Petkovic’s tactical decisions in the defeat to Switzerland, with his agent, Jibril Oualane, reportedly seen in Algeria for preliminary discussions. Chelle’s growing reputation on the continent, having guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before leading the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON, alongside his previous spell in charge of Algerian club MC Oran, had made him an appealing name to Algerian observers.However, Chelle remains firmly contracted to the Nigeria Football Federation, which is reportedly finalising a long-term extension that would keep him in charge of the Super Eagles until 2030. The proposed agreement is expected to double his monthly salary from $50,000 to $100,000 while also expanding his authority across Nigeria’s national team structure, including oversight of the country’s Under-23 Olympic team.Chelle was appointed in January 2025 but failed to lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup despite impressing with positive results across his first 18 months in charge. The French-Algerian tactician recently signed as head coach of Algerian Ligue 1 giants JS Kabylie, officially taking charge on July 4. He built his reputation during spells at Anderlecht, where he served as assistant coach and caretaker manager on several occasions, and also managed Charleroi and KV Kortrijk in the Belgian Pro League before working as an assistant at Watford.According to Algerian newspaper El Khabar, the federation believes Belhocine’s UEFA Pro Licence, tactical knowledge and understanding of both European and Algerian football make him an attractive candidate.Chelle’s name had earlier surfaced in connection with the Algeria job after reports claimed the federation had contacted the Franco-Malian coach following frustration with Petkovic’s tactical decisions in the defeat to Switzerland, with his agent, Jibril Oualane, reportedly seen in Algeria for preliminary discussions. Chelle’s growing reputation on the continent, having guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before leading the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON, alongside his previous spell in charge of Algerian club MC Oran, had made him an appealing name to Algerian observers.However, Chelle remains firmly contracted to the Nigeria Football Federation, which is reportedly finalising a long-term extension that would keep him in charge of the Super Eagles until 2030. The proposed agreement is expected to double his monthly salary from $50,000 to $100,000 while also expanding his authority across Nigeria’s national team structure, including oversight of the country’s Under-23 Olympic team.Chelle was appointed in January 2025 but failed to lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup despite impressing with positive results across his first 18 months in charge. According to Algerian newspaper El Khabar, the federation believes Belhocine’s UEFA Pro Licence, tactical knowledge and understanding of both European and Algerian football make him an attractive candidate.Chelle’s name had earlier surfaced in connection with the Algeria job after reports claimed the federation had contacted the Franco-Malian coach following frustration with Petkovic’s tactical decisions in the defeat to Switzerland, with his agent, Jibril Oualane, reportedly seen in Algeria for preliminary discussions. Chelle’s growing reputation on the continent, having guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before leading the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON, alongside his previous spell in charge of Algerian club MC Oran, had made him an appealing name to Algerian observers.However, Chelle remains firmly contracted to the Nigeria Football Federation, which is reportedly finalising a long-term extension that would keep him in charge of the Super Eagles until 2030. The proposed agreement is expected to double his monthly salary from $50,000 to $100,000 while also expanding his authority across Nigeria’s national team structure, including oversight of the country’s Under-23 Olympic team.Chelle was appointed in January 2025 but failed to lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup despite impressing with positive results across his first 18 months in charge. Chelle’s name had earlier surfaced in connection with the Algeria job after reports claimed the federation had contacted the Franco-Malian coach following frustration with Petkovic’s tactical decisions in the defeat to Switzerland, with his agent, Jibril Oualane, reportedly seen in Algeria for preliminary discussions. Chelle’s growing reputation on the continent, having guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before leading the Super Eagles to a third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON, alongside his previous spell in charge of Algerian club MC Oran, had made him an appealing name to Algerian observers.However, Chelle remains firmly contracted to the Nigeria Football Federation, which is reportedly finalising a long-term extension that would keep him in charge of the Super Eagles until 2030. The proposed agreement is expected to double his monthly salary from $50,000 to $100,000 while also expanding his authority across Nigeria’s national team structure, including oversight of the country’s Under-23 Olympic team.Chelle was appointed in January 2025 but failed to lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup despite impressing with positive results across his first 18 months in charge. However, Chelle remains firmly contracted to the Nigeria Football Federation, which is reportedly finalising a long-term extension that would keep him in charge of the Super Eagles until 2030. The proposed agreement is expected to double his monthly salary from $50,000 to $100,000 while also expanding his authority across Nigeria’s national team structure, including oversight of the country’s Under-23 Olympic team.Chelle was appointed in January 2025 but failed to lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup despite impressing with positive results across his first 18 months in charge. Chelle was appointed in January 2025 but failed to lead the Super Eagles to the 2026 World Cup despite impressing with positive results across his first 18 months in charge.