The mystery surrounding the identity of the next coach for the “Atlas Lions” continues, amidst the delay by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation in making an official decision, despite several names being circulated in recent weeks.
According to exclusive information we have received, the reason for the delay is not only related to technical aspects but also to the negotiation formula proposed by the Federation, which has not been accepted by the coaching candidates for the position. The Federation proposed short-term contracts extending only until after the next World Cup finals in America, with the understanding that the experience would be evaluated based on the national team’s results in the World Cup before a decision to extend or terminate the contract is made.
However, a number of the proposed candidates considered this formula unfair, given that the World Cup cannot be the sole criterion for evaluating the work of a national team coach the size of Morocco, especially since the global competition is subject to multiple considerations and nothing in it is guaranteed, regardless of the quality of the technical project or the readiness of the players.
Some candidates also believed that accepting a contract exclusively tied to the World Cup result carries significant professional risk, as it places the coach between two extreme possibilities: a brilliant success that opens up vast prospects, or a failure that could negatively impact their entire career, all within a short timeframe that does not allow for building a comprehensive project.
In contrast, the nominated coaches insisted that any contract must extend at least until the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2027, scheduled for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This would ensure technical stability and provide sufficient time to build a clear vision that combines preparation for the World Cup and continental competition.
The final decision remains contingent on the ability of the parties to bridge their viewpoints, in anticipation of announcing the new coach who will lead the national team in the upcoming phase.
