ALGIERS: Lucas Alcaraz has been named as the new coach of Algeria, the country’s football federation announced on Thursday in a short statement. The 50-year-old Spaniard was available after being sacked by his hometown team, La Liga strugglers Granada, on Monday. Alcaraz, who was replaced at Granada by former Arsenal and England defender Tony Adams, is charged with the task of qualifying Algeria for next year’s World Cup in Russia. They are currently bottom of their qualifying section, five points behind leaders Nigeria with four matches remaining. Alcaraz replaces the Belgian Georges Leekens, who left after the country’s poor showing at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, when they were eliminated in the group stage.