Wydad AC close to appointing Portuguese tactician Paulo Sergio as new head coach

Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club are on the verge of appointing experienced Portuguese tactician Paulo Sergio as their new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Africasoccer.com understands that negotiations between Wydad and the 58-year-old manager have reached an advanced stage, with the Portuguese tactician set to take over the club for the new campaign.

Paulo Sergio is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Casablanca-based club, marking the beginning of a new chapter for both the coach and the Botola Pro outfit.

The move marks Paulo Sergio’s first managerial role on the African continent after a coaching career that has taken him across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The Portuguese tactician arrives with a wealth of international experience, having managed clubs in Portugal, Scotland, Romania, Cyprus, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, while also spending the last two years working in the Saudi Pro League.

His extensive résumé and ability to adapt to different football cultures are believed to have played a significant role in Wydad’s decision to pursue his appointment.

Wydad AC are understood to be seeking an experienced manager capable of guiding the team through an important rebuilding phase following an underwhelming campaign.

The management believes Paulo Sergio possesses the tactical knowledge and leadership qualities required to restore Wydad to the summit of Moroccan and African football.

The Portuguese coach is expected to take charge of preseason preparations immediately after his appointment is confirmed, giving him sufficient time to assess the current squad and identify areas requiring reinforcement before the transfer window closes.

His arrival is also expected to influence Wydad’s recruitment strategy, with the coach likely to work closely with the sporting department in identifying transfer targets capable of fitting his tactical philosophy.

Paulo Sergio has built a reputation throughout his coaching career for organising disciplined teams, promoting tactical flexibility and developing competitive squads capable of challenging in demanding leagues.

His experience across multiple countries has exposed him to different playing styles and football environments, qualities Wydad hope will translate into success both domestically and on the continental stage.

For Wydad, the appointment forms part of a broader strategy aimed at returning the club to its traditional position among Africa’s elite after falling short of expectations in recent seasons.

The Red Castle are determined to assemble a squad capable of challenging for the Botola Pro title while also mounting a serious campaign in CAF inter-club competitions.

The club’s hierarchy reportedly views the appointment of an experienced foreign coach as a key component of that long-term vision, believing Paulo Sergio can provide the stability, discipline and tactical direction needed to compete for major honours.

As negotiations near completion, Wydad supporters will be eagerly awaiting an official announcement from the club, with optimism growing that the Portuguese manager could usher in a new era at one of Morocco’s most decorated football institutions.

If the agreement is finalised as expected, Paulo Sergio will become the latest European coach to test himself in African football, with the challenging task of restoring Wydad Casablanca to both domestic and continental prominence during the upcoming season.