Morocco’s Ex-Coach Halilhodzic Calls Himself "Cursed" After Pre-World Cup Dismissal

"Everything that happened has hurt me deeply. Maybe I’m cursed. Statistically, I’m their [Morocco’s] most successful coach in history, but that doesn’t seem to matter. I’m sorry [to have been fired before a World Cup] for the third time, especially since I know how much work I’ve put in," said coach Vahid in an interview with the Bosnian website Reprezentacija.ba. Previously, he had qualified Côte d’Ivoire and Japan respectively in 2010 and 2018 for the World Cup, before being fired a few months before the big event.

The former PSG coach paid dearly for the exclusion of Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech for disciplinary reasons. Clearly, he does not regret this decision. "I don’t care what people will think of me after this. I could have accepted everything they asked and stayed, but once a coach allows others to decide who will play and go to the World Cup, then he is no longer a coach. The credibility of the players also disappears immediately," said Vahid Halilhodzic.

After his dismissal, the offers are pouring in. "I’ve never had so many offers. Three or four national teams have called me, as have many clubs, but for now I want to rest first. Anything can happen, including ending my career," said the 69-year-old athlete.