Former Morocco Coach Halilhodzic Laments World Cup Absence After Surprise Dismissal

"Instead of being in Qatar, I’m here in the rain. I had really invested myself fully in this project for three years and it’s another World Cup that I’m going to miss. But well, that’s life," says a visibly disappointed Vahid Halilhodzic. "There, I’m sure, I felt that with the Moroccan team I had built, we could do something at the World Cup. I would have liked to end my career with a successful World Cup and say that’s enough!" The former coach of the Atlas Lions does not accept having been ejected by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), reports SO FOOT.COM.

He confides that he made sacrifices for Morocco both professionally and personally and would have liked to be recognized for it by being allowed to lead the team to the World Cup. Yet it was not for lack of being called to reason several times. He had been criticized for his obstinacy in keeping Hakim Ziyech and others away from the team, for not composing with local players, for favoring the international press to the detriment of the Moroccan one. But for him, the end justifies the means. "What gives credibility to a coach are the results. And the Moroccan national team has never obtained better results than with me in the World Cup qualifiers. 7 wins, 1 draw having scored an average of 3 goals per game."

He denounces a smear campaign against him and pressure from Fouzi Lekja, the president of the FRMF. "The federation wanted me to take 3-4 players, while the team had obtained results without them. I did not give in, because you lose your credibility when the players feel that we decide for you." For him, the real problem he had with certain players stems from the fact that he cared more about their club than the national team. "This has happened to me three times. Once again, I’m a little ashamed. But you have to have a little pride, it’s not nothing to take four teams to the World Cup."

Today, even though he is courted to coach other teams, Vahid Halilhodzic says he is no longer very enthusiastic. "When they call me, I say thank you, that’s all. I’m a little disgusted because I’m really a football fanatic. There are people who work with me who have a hard time coping with the workload I impose. That’s how I am. A workaholic."