Westerlo Players Surprise Moroccan Coach With Manager of the Month Trophy
Convinced his players were late, Issame Charaï was about to fine them. The Moroccan coach of Westerlo discovered they had a surprise in store: a trophy recognizing his results in the Belgian league.
It all began at the team breakfast. Issame Charaï, 44, expected to have to call his players to order. But when they arrived, he was met with a very different scene: they brought him the trophy for September’s best coach in Belgium’s top division.
“I was going to fine everyone because I thought they were late,” he said with a laugh to Belgian media outlet Voetbalkrant. The video published on October 21 by the Pro League captured the unexpected presentation.
The coach was quick to share the honor. “First, I want to thank the staff and the players, because without them, there is no football,” he said. He also shared how much his group’s recognition meant to him.
From a difficult start to the season to the monthly award
The award comes after a spectacular turnaround. Westerlo had earned just one point in its first four league matches. Then the wins came in a row: 4-0 against Malines, 4-2 against Standard and 2-0 against Saint-Trond.
The momentum continued in October with a 5-1 win over Antwerp. The club earned 13 points from its last five league matches, climbing to sixth place. KVC Westerlo officially announced the award on Thursday, October 22.
In Morocco, Charaï is still associated with the Atlas Lion Cubs’ 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations title. Dropped from his post as coach a few months later, he continued his club career in Europe.
The 2-0 win over Patro Eisden in the Belgian Cup also marked his 50th match in charge of Westerlo.
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