Vahid Halilhodžić claims Morocco dismissal was not about results

Former Morocco head coach Vahid Halilhodžić has claimed his dismissal months before the 2022 World Cup was not based on results, but on a dispute over squad selection.

Speaking to ON Sport more than three years after his departure, the Bosnian manager challenged the official narrative surrounding his exit from the national team, insisting: “It wasn’t a sporting decision.”

Halilhodžić took charge of Morocco in 2019 and oversaw a strong qualifying campaign for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Under his leadership, the Atlas Lions recorded seven wins and one draw in World Cup qualifying, building momentum ahead of the finals.

Despite those results, he was removed from his post shortly before the tournament. According to Halilhodžić, tensions behind the scenes had intensified, particularly regarding his authority over squad selection.

In a direct account of the disagreement, he said: “For the World Cup squad list, the president wanted to impose two players on me, and I refused. I didn’t accept this blackmail, and we parted ways.”

At the time of his dismissal, the decision was officially presented without detailed explanation. Halilhodžić now maintains that he stood firm on maintaining full control over sporting matters, even if it cost him his position.

“If you look at the results I achieved with the Moroccan national team, you’ll see that it’s been an exceptional journey,” he insisted.

The coach also suggested the episode left a lasting mark. “I haven’t spoken about Morocco since, not a word. Since I left, I haven’t watched the Moroccan team for a minute, not a second.”

His comments revive debate around one of the most contentious managerial changes in recent Moroccan football history, raising fresh questions about the circumstances that led to his departure just months before a World Cup campaign.