ShareDespite only handing Vladimir Petkovic a contract extension before the World Cup, Algeria have decided to part ways with their head coach.Algeria confirmed that a mutual agreement had been reached to part ways with head coach Vladimir Petkovic following their World Cup campaign this summer. Petkovic had only signed a contract extension before the beginning of the World Cup, but he has since left his role with the nation he had been in charge of since 2024. The 62-year-old replaced Djamel Belmadi two years ago and oversaw 33 matches across all competitions, winning 23 of those (D5 L5). He guided Algeria to the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations in 2025 before helping them qualify for the World Cup for the first time since the 2014 edition in Brazil. Algeria advanced as one of the best third-place teams having taken four points from their Group J games, which included an enthralling 3-3 draw with Austria. They reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for just the second time, but were beaten 2-0 by Switzerland at BC Place in the last 32."The Algerian Football Federation announce that their contractual relationship with the national team head coach, Mr. Vladimir Petkovic, and his coaching staff has officially come to an end today, on a mutual agreement between the two parties," the local soccer governing body said in a statement.It looks set to be a period of change for Algeria, with captain Riyad Mahrez announcing his international retirement in the wake of his nation's World Cup exit. Mahrez retires as Algeria's second-most capped player (119) and second-highest scorer (40). Algeria begin qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in September, where they have been drawn in Group I alongside Zambia, Togo and Burundi.