Pablo Franco Martin turns down Al Masry and Raja Casablanca offers

Former AmaZulu coach Pablo Franco Martin has rejected approaches from Egyptian club Al Masry SC and Moroccan giants Raja Athletic Club as he waits for a coaching opportunity that better matches his ambitions.

The Spanish coach is currently without a club after leaving Moroccan champions MAS Fes, whom he guided to a historic Botola Pro League title last season.

That triumph ended MAS Fes’ 41-year wait to be crowned champions and significantly raised Martin’s profile across African football. His achievement has since attracted interest from several of the continent’s leading clubs, but he has so far chosen not to accept his next appointment.

KickOff.com understands that Al Masry SC made an offer to Martin to become their head coach. The proposal was regarded as a strong one, with the Egyptian club’s leadership and professional structure making a positive impression on the Spaniard.

Despite those favourable conditions, Martin decided against taking the position. The decision was not understood to be linked to concerns about Al Masry SC, but instead reflected his preference to wait for a project that is more closely aligned with his ambitions and the timing of his next move.

Martin was also approached by Raja Athletic Club during the past week, according to sources close to the coach.

The Moroccan club’s reputation, together with the chance to continue working in a country where he has already enjoyed major success, made the opportunity an appealing one. Martin’s title-winning campaign with MAS Fes had strengthened his standing in Morocco and made a move to another prominent club in the country a natural possibility.

However, the 47-year-old ultimately concluded that the timing was not right and declined the offer.

His decision to turn down both approaches comes after the most significant achievement of his coaching career to date. By leading MAS Fes to the Moroccan league title, Martin ended more than four decades of disappointment for the club and placed himself among the coaches attracting growing attention in African football.

The success also ensured that his next appointment would be closely watched. Having previously coached AmaZulu, Martin has experience of working in different football environments and is now assessing the right opportunity rather than rushing back into management.

For the time being, the former AmaZulu coach remains available. Interest in his services is continuing to increase, but Martin appears willing to remain patient while he considers the next stage of his career.

His priority is understood to be finding a project that offers the right combination of ambition, structure and timing, rather than simply accepting the first suitable offer to arrive.