Brahim Hemdani Named Algeria’s New Head Coach

Only days after celebrating a gold medal with his players at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, Brahim Hemdani has been handed the biggest coaching challenge of his career: leading Algeria’s senior national team.

The Algerian Football Federation made the decision at its September meeting and formalized it on Saturday at the federation’s national technical center in Sidi Moussa. Hemdani succeeds Swiss coach Vladimir Petković as Algeria seeks a fresh start.

The restructuring also brings former international Antar Yahia into the staff as assistant coach, while Moussa Saïb becomes general manager. At youth level, the federation appointed Hocine El Orfi to lead the under-20 national team, with the stated aim of continuing the development of Algeria’s younger players and preparing them for future competitions.

Hemdani’s promotion marks a rapid rise for a coach whose name had attracted little attention in national football discussions only a few months ago. Born on March 15, 1978, in Colombes, France, he built his playing career as a tough, disciplined and tactically reliable defensive midfielder.

After developing at Cannes and playing for Strasbourg, Hemdani made his mark at Olympique de Marseille from 2001 to 2005. He became captain and reached the UEFA Cup final in 2004. He later spent four seasons with Glasgow Rangers and played in another European final in 2008.

His international playing career was relatively brief, with a limited number of appearances before he retired in 2009. His connection with Algeria continued as a coach, however, through a gradual return to the national-team rebuilding project. The recent Mediterranean Games title has now propelled him into the spotlight.