Algeria name Lucas Alcaraz as head coach

Is Algeria’s period of football instability over? This is the big question as the country on Thursday appointed a new coach.

Lucas Alcaraz was named the new head coach and becomes Algeria’s fourth full-time coach in the last 13 months.

The 50-year old Spaniard replaces Belgian Georges Keekens, who quit after Algeria were eliminated from the 2017 Africa cup of Nations at the group stage.

His appointment comes just three days after he was dismissed as Granada boss.

Pundits say the move comes as a surprise to many in Algeria as another Spaniard Joaquin Caparros was a frontrunner for the post.

Alcaraz’s first competitive match as coach will be against visiting Togo as the north Africa country begin their qualifying campaign for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Algeria are aiming to reach a third straight World Cup but are bottom of their qualifying group with a single point from two matches so far.