The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has confirmed that Rabah Madjer has been appointed as their new national team manager.

Madjer, 58, is the fifth coach to take charge of the Fennec Foxes in the past three years and succeeds Spaniard Lucas Alcaraz, who was sacked earlier this month after Algeria’s elimination from the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Madjer is a legendary former Algerian national team player and has had multiple spells in charge of the North African side, the most recent of which ended in 2002 with an early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Madjer has been tasked with securing qualification for the 2019 AFCON in Cameroon, though his first game in charge will be the dead-rubber World Cup qualifier against Group B winners and Russia-bound Nigeria next month.

That cost Spaniard Alcaraz his position as he was sacked earlier this month after just six months in the role.

Madjer, one of the greatest Algerian players of all time, is best remembered for his nonchalant back-heeled finish for Porto in their 1987 European Cup final win over Bayern Munich.

He first took charge of his country in 1994, with his most recent spell ending in 2002 after an early exit from that year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Madjer’s aim on his return to the helm will be to take the team to the 2019 Cup of Nations in Cameroon, with their next qualifier due to be against Gambia in March. Before that, they must complete their failed World Cup campaign with a fixture against Nigeria next month.