Is Vahid Halilhodžić living his last hours at the head of the Moroccan selection?

Morocco coach since 2019, Vahid Halilhodžić is in the hot seat a few months before the World Cup. The Bosnian could pay for the non-selection of several Atlas Lions stars.

Coach Vahid Halilhodžić has a rather positive record at the head of the Moroccan selection: althougheliminated in the quarter-finals of the last African Cup of Nations by Egypt, after extra time, the Atlas Lions managed to win their ticket for the next World Cup, which will take place in Qatar. The one who succeeded Hervé Renard in August 2019 had everything to prepare for the World Cup. But statements by the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) have suggested that the Bosnian coach could soon be dismissed.

In an interview two weeks ago, Fouzi Lekjâa said: “We cannot say that Vahid is untouchable and indispensable”. Before adding that “a decision will be made when the time comes”. However, this famous moment could be the end of April. Lekjâa indeed affirmed that he was going to meet the coach of the Moroccan team to "draw a roadmap in anticipation of the World Cup and the qualifications for CAN 2023".

But in reality, it is not the results of the Atlas Lions that are disturbing, but the relations between the Bosnian coach and certain players. The non-selection of Hakim Ziyech seems to be an important element in the balance. The Moroccan star of Chelsea has not been part of the plans of "coach Vahid" for several months.

“With Mr. Vahid…or another”

And Fouzi Lekjâa does not seem to appreciate the sidelining of several stars. “These players, even if they made mistakes, we must not forget that originally they chose the national team. According to my belief, the door of the national team is open to all Moroccan players, regardless of the dispute. No one has the right to deprive a Moroccan player of the national team. This is valid for Ziyech, Mazraoui, Hamdallah and the others. And this subject does not lend itself to any discussion, whether with Mr. Vahid or with another ”.

A straight attack on the often radical methods of Halilhodžić. The former coach of Lille, Paris Saint-Germain, Japan or even the Algerian selection, wherever he goes, imposes his paw, without worrying about being appreciated. It usually works pretty well.

But on the side of Fouzi Lekjâa, we seem to have a point of no return. If the Moroccan football boss assures that "there is no dispute between coach Halilhodžić", he recently affirmed that an "official decision about his future will be published via the official communication platforms of the Federation". end of April.

Everything actually seems to depend on the decisions of Vahid Halilhodžić as to the choice of players selected to prepare for the World Cup. Fouzi Lekjâa seems to be following the will of the people by trying to force Moroccan stars back into the ranks of the Atlas Lions. The boss of the FRMF believes that today we must put all the assets on the side of Morocco, to achieve a good World Cup.

For his part, the Bosnian coach says he is not worried. He is under contract with the Moroccan selection until the middle of 2023 and says he is sure of his method. In case of dismissal, Halilhodžić will leave with a nice compensation. And, above all, the Atlas Lions will have to find a new coach quickly. A situation far from ideal a few months before the World Cup.