After Morocco’s painful Africa Cup of Nations defeat on home soil, a heated public debate has erupted over whether head coach Walid Regragui should stay or leave.
Fans and analysts are sharply divided between those calling for change and others insisting he deserves continuity with the Atlas Lions.
Critics argue Regragui no longer brings fresh solutions in decisive moments and that his tactical approach has become predictable for opponents. They also point to controversial squad choices, including calling up injured players and relying on others who failed to perform, which effectively deprived the team of around seven key contributors.
For them, losing AFCON at home and exiting the previous edition in Ivory Coast after a 2-0 defeat to South Africa in the round of 16 proves a reset is needed before upcoming competitions.
On the other side, supporters of Regragui highlight the historic achievements under his leadership. He led Morocco to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar for the first time ever and helped instill a new mindset of courage and ambition that has filtered down through youth levels, culminating in the under-20 team’s World Cup triumph in Chile.
They also stress that less than five months remain before the next World Cup, making a coaching change a major risk for a squad packed with experienced stars who already know his methods.
Amid this polarization, many voices are putting forward Tarik Sektioui as a credible Moroccan alternative. His record with national selections includes an Olympic bronze medal with players who now form the backbone of Regragui’s team, a CHAN title earned after a very short preparation period, and victory with the reserve team at the recent Arab Cup in Qatar under intense pressure. These achievements are cited as evidence of his tactical flexibility and ability to deliver quick, concrete results.
Some observers now call for a balanced decision that puts the interests of the national team and country above emotional reactions. Keeping Regragui would preserve continuity and capitalize on his knowledge of the group but carries technical risks, while appointing Sektioui could inject new energy and ideas yet demands careful management to ensure fast adaptation before major tournaments.
Ultimately, many agree that Morocco’s World Cup ambitions require firm, effective leadership judged on clear data and results rather than short-term frustration.
