Former Morocco Assistant Coach Criticizes Halilhodzic, Praises Team’s World Cup Performance

In an interview with RMC Sport, the former assistant to Vahid praised the performances recorded in recent months, particularly the results obtained in a tough group at the World Cup. "We knew it would be difficult in this group, but we’re doing well. Against Croatia, we maybe didn’t believe in it enough. But against Belgium, it was magnificent," he said.

According to him, this remarkable evolution of the Atlas Lions is attributable to the departure of Vahid Halilhodzic, whom he judged "too hard" with the players, and the arrival of Walid Regragui. "It’s not that I hold a grudge against Vahid, but after his departure, the players freed themselves up. When you’re a football player and you go to training without having the desire... Vahid, he’s very tough. Too much discipline kills discipline. After a while, you lose the players, you lose everyone when you’re too tough," he affirmed.

And he added: "It’s very hard to talk to him. I give him a lot of respect because I learned a lot with him. But on a human level, it’s complicated in management. It’s really very hard. Vahid has remained in the football of the 1980s or 1990s so it’s difficult for this generation. At some point, he has to be flexible and take responsibility. That’s Vahid’s problem."