Image:Halilhodzic: Tasked with turning around the fortunes of a struggling Algeria national side
Vahid Halilhodzic has been announced as the new coach of the Algeria national side.
Manager looking to salvage qualification campaign
Vahid Halilhodzic has been announced as the new coach of the Algeria national side.
The 58-year-old will take over the role on July 1 after agreeing a three-year deal with the Algerian Football Federation on Wednesday.
Halilhodzic takes over the hot seat previously occupied by Abdelhak Benchikha, who resigned in the aftermath of a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Morocco in June.
The new coach arrives with the nation's chances of qualifying for the African Nations Cup finals hanging in the balance.
Halilhodzic has previously worked in Africa as manager of the Ivory Coast, as well as stints in France at Lille, Stade Rennes and Paris St Germain.
Real competition
The Bosnian told L'Equipe: "When the Algerian officials called me I was not enthusiastic. I still kept my departure from the Ivory Coast in my mind.
"Then I thought a lot. The chairman of the Algerian Federation came to meet me and convinced me. They really wanted me to come.
"I signed a three-year deal with a clause that allows me to leave at the end of each season.
"I will arrive in August, I will set the rules and the ones who won't match them will leave. That is very simple. I don't know if I will change a lot of players but there will be real competition, even for key players."
