Moroccan giants AS FAR have decided to stick with their Portuguese head coach, Alexandre Santos, despite the team’s recent exit from the CAF Champions League.
AS FAR were knocked out of the continental competition at the quarterfinal stage by Egypt’s Pyramids FC. Despite the setback, the club’s leadership has opted to give Santos a lifeline—conditional on the team finishing second in the Moroccan top flight.
Currently, AS FAR sits in second place with 51 points, six ahead of rivals Wydad Casablanca. The team has also progressed to the quarterfinals of the Moroccan Throne Cup.
Santos, who took over from Frenchman Hubert Velud, was tasked with reaching the semifinals of the CAF Champions League, securing a second-place league finish, and winning the Throne Cup to fully secure his position. His contract runs for a season and a half.
A club insider revealed, “The club’s management unanimously expressed its satisfaction with the team’s development under Santos, after achieving five consecutive victories, including its victory over Pyramids FC in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, and maintaining the second place in the league so far.”
The decision has reportedly been well received by Santos, who is expected to field a strong squad in a crucial league match against Wydad Casablanca on Saturday—an encounter that could solidify AS FAR’s grip on second place.
