Wydad Casablanca close in on former Al Nassr title-winning coach Daniel Carreno

Wydad Casablanca are on the verge of appointing former Al Nassr boss Daniel Carreno as their new head coach as the Moroccan giants attempt to rebound from a disappointing league campaign.

The Uruguayan, who famously led Al Nassr to the Saudi Pro League title, has emerged as the leading candidate to take charge of Wydad ahead of next season, according to Moroccan outlet Le Site Info Sport.

If confirmed, the move would mark one of the most high-profile coaching appointments in Morocco this summer, as Wydad seek to reassert themselves domestically and return to the African stage.

Carreno has extensive experience in Saudi Arabian football, having previously managed Al Nassr, Al Wahda, Al Shabab, Al Hazem and Al Riyadh during multiple spells in the kingdom.

Wydad plot revival after disappointing fifth-place finish

Wydad, one of Morocco’s most decorated and popular clubs, ended last season’s Botola Pro campaign in fifth place – well below the expectations of their supporters and hierarchy.

The club’s failure to mount a serious title challenge and secure qualification for continental competition has intensified pressure on decision-makers at the Casablanca side to oversee a swift rebuild.

Securing an experienced and decorated coach is seen as a key part of that project, with Carreno viewed as a figure who can restore discipline, organisation and a winning mentality to the squad.

The club is targeting an immediate return to competing for the Moroccan league title and qualification for CAF competitions, where Wydad have regularly been among the continent’s strongest performers in recent years.

Title-winning pedigree in Saudi Arabia

Carreno’s biggest achievement in the region came with Al Nassr, where he guided the Riyadh club to the Saudi Pro League championship, cementing his reputation as a coach capable of handling big clubs and high-pressure environments.

His spells in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr, Al Wahda, Al Shabab, Al Hazem and Al Riyadh have given him deep familiarity with football in the Arab world, including managing passionate fanbases and navigating demanding domestic campaigns.

For Wydad, that profile is particularly attractive as they seek a coach comfortable with both the expectations of a major club and the challenges of working in North African and Middle Eastern football cultures.

Strategic move to regain African foothold

Wydad’s ambitions extend beyond the Moroccan league. The club is determined to re-establish itself as a regular contender in African competitions after missing out on qualification this year.

Appointing Carreno is seen as a strategic move to build a team capable of challenging not only rivals in the Botola Pro but also powerhouses across the continent in CAF tournaments.

With the new season approaching, Wydad are expected to move quickly to finalise the appointment and begin reshaping the squad under Carreno’s guidance, as the club aims to transform the frustration of last season into a platform for a renewed title push.