For weeks, even months, the Moroccan press has been announcing the departure of Vahid Halilhodzic. This time, it’s official. The Franco-Bosnian will not lead the Atlas Lions to the 2022 World Cup. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced the news on Thursday, July 11.
Due to differences of opinion between the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and the coach of the men’s National Football Team , Mr. Vahid Halilhodzic about the proper preparation of the Atlas Lions for the finals of the 22nd edition of the World Cup Qatar 2022, the two parties have agreed to part amicably,” reads the statement of the body. To this effect, the FRMF thanks Mr. Halilhodzic for the work accomplished during his mission at the head of the National Team, mainly the qualification for the next World Cup thanks to a Selection with young talented and promising players. For his part, Mr. Vahid Halilhodzic wishes full success to the National team in the future. The FRMF recalls that it will mobilize all the means to ensure the National Team a good preparation for the World Cup 2022.
🔴 Vahid Halilhodzic quitte officiellement son poste de sélectionneur national. Il a été licencié ce mercredi 10 août, tel que l'annonce la FRMF. pic.twitter.com/EiqCjF8Qs0
— TFT MOROCCO (@TFT_Morocco) August 11, 2022
Departing a months before the World Cup is seemingly becoming a routine for Vahid.
In addition, this is already the third time that Vahid Halilhodzic is removed from his duties just before a World Cup after having suffered the same fate in Côte d’Ivoire in 2010 and Japan in 2018.
Some pundits have also linked his sacking to the poor management of the relationship between the coach and Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech who stopped playing for the Moroccan National football team under Vahid. Ziyech is considered by many a huge assert to the Moroccan team and his absence will not want to be felt in the Qatar World Cup come November 2022.
