Petkovic took charge in February 2024 and had reportedly signed a deal running through 2028 before the tournament. That gap between the contract horizon and the reported departure is significant: Algeria now need to choose whether to appoint a coach for the next cycle or prioritise an immediate reset.
The report says Algeria reached the round of 32 before losing 2-0 to Switzerland. One knockout defeat does not, on its own, explain the decision; the available account does not detail the discussions behind the mutual agreement. What is clear from the reported timing is that the federation must now manage both the vacancy and the scrutiny that follows an early tournament exit.
With the coaching staff also reportedly leaving, the incoming manager may need to rebuild the backroom team as well as set a direction for the squad. Continuity could help limit disruption, but a fresh appointment would give the federation a chance to reassess its approach after a campaign that ended in the first knockout round.
The report identifies Algeria’s next competitive task as qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with matches due to begin in September. If that schedule holds, the federation has little time to settle on a replacement and prepare the team. The next storyline is whether Algeria opt for a quick appointment or take longer to find a coach capable of carrying the project into the next cycle.