The transfer period in the Algerian football league often features headlines with few positives, such as the recruitment of a few distinguished players. However, the unfortunate reality is that the ‘mercato’ has become a market lacking football logic, often dominated by unilateral thinking, especially among club presidents who frequently disregard professional standards. The chaos in transfers is not the main cause of the decline in Algerian football but a symptom of multiple deficiencies and unclear projects. Most clubs, whether in the first or second professional division, are amateurs lacking fundamental football club structures. Positions like sporting director or general manager have become mere titles without real responsibilities. The most important decision-making roles have been reduced to secondary implementation tasks, especially evident during the winter and summer transfer windows.

Strange phenomena continue, such as recruiting players before coaches, except for a few clubs led by experienced coaches who have full authority over team selection. Other clubs regularly announce news that discourages followers of Algerian football, including coaches resigning before preparations even start, rejecting squad selections imposed by management, or disagreeing with club projects, often influenced by financial considerations regardless of timing or objectives.

Another emerging problem is the dismissal of players, particularly young ones, at the last moments of the transfer window without considering their football futures. Some clubs enter training camps with over 34 players for more than two weeks without signing contracts, then are forced to release a third of them in the final hours of the mercato, leaving players unemployed. This issue is especially prevalent in second division amateur clubs this season.

The large number of players during preparations raises questions about why clubs put themselves in such situations. The answer lies in internal conflicts between club management and coaches, who each recruit players they trust, leading to disputes over who deserves to wear the club jersey. Sometimes these conflicts result in coaches resigning or being dismissed without regard for the season’s start.

The Algerian Football Federation’s salary caps and monthly limits should include measures to better regulate these issues. For example, clubs could be required to register players before entering training camps to protect them from injury without contracts. Additionally, stricter penalties, such as point deductions for clubs that dismiss coaches before the season starts, could encourage more thoughtful decisions regarding technical staff.

The evident disorder and conflicts among club presidents, coaches, and managers have made the transfer period the worst in Algerian football, with the biggest losers being talented players hindered by poor management, ignorant presidents, difficult coaches, and greedy agents. This situation delays hopes of seeing a level of football worthy of Algeria’s history and the talents its stadiums produce.