Morocco’s federation parts ways with coach Halilhodzic – World Cup News

Despite successful qualification, Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic has been fired for the third time in his career shortly before the start of the WM. Although the 70-year-old had led the Moroccan national team to the World Cup in Qatar, he was sacked by the federation on Thursday. The reasons for the amicable separation were “differences of opinion and different ideas”. Around three months before the tournament, the Moroccans will have to look for a new coach.

30 years experience as a Coach

The Bosnian Vahid Halihodzic can look back on more than 30 years of coaching experience. The 70-year-old has coached the national teams of Japan, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire and has been a coach at prestigious clubs such as Paris St Germain, Trabzonspor and FC Nantes. He has been in charge of Morocco since 2019 and has averaged 2.23 points from 30 games with his team. Between October 2019 and January 2022, Halihodzic remained unbeaten with the Moroccan national team.

For Halilhodzic, a leave of absence shortly before a World Cup is nothing new. He led Côte d’Ivoire to the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 but was also dismissed shortly before the tournament. He also managed to qualify with Japan for the WC 2018 in Russia. The Japanese association also parted ways with him a few weeks before the start of the tournament.

Morocco will face Belgium, Canada and Croatia in Group F at the 2022 World Cup. They have the most difficult task with the number two in the world rankings, Belgium. It remains to be seen how well Croatia will do this year. For the internationally very experienced Moroccan team, the duel with the reigning runners-up right at the start of the tournament should be a key match. Against Canada, on the other hand, a win is an absolute must.

No Luck for Halihovic at World Cups

For Halilhodzic, a leave of absence just before a WM final is nothing new. He led Ivory Coast to WM South Africa in 2010 but was also sacked just before the tournament. He also managed to qualify with Japan for WM 2018 in Russia. The Japanese association also parted ways with him a few weeks before the start of the tournament.