Morocco coach Walid Regragui turns down Saudi clubs, eyes top European side

Walid Regragui has made it clear that his next career move will be in Europe, rejecting an offer from a Saudi Pro League club as he prepares for his next managerial challenge.

The Moroccan coach’s decision comes shortly after his resignation from the national team, following Senegal’s dramatic 1-0 victory over Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

True to his pledge to step down if he failed to secure a major trophy, Regragui ended his tenure with the Atlas Lions, closing a remarkable chapter in Moroccan football history.

Although his departure from the national team has not been officially confirmed, reports suggest that Regragui’s tenure concluded just months before the 2026 World Cup, with Mohamed Ouahbi, the coach of Morocco’s U-23 side, expected to assume leadership of the senior team.

Regragui’s focus, however, is firmly on club management in Europe, where he hopes to test his tactical acumen in one of the continent’s top leagues.

According to French media outlet Footmercato, discussions are already underway with clubs in the English Premier League and La Liga, signalling strong interest in a coach whose reputation has grown through both national and continental successes.

Regragui’s coaching career has been defined by historic achievements. Appointed as Morocco’s national coach in August 2022, just three months before the Qatar World Cup, he guided the team to a semifinal appearance – the first time an Arab and African nation had reached that stage.

He also led Morocco to the Africa Cup of Nations final, the country’s first since 2004, narrowly losing to Senegal in extra time amid a tense and dramatic encounter.

Before his national team exploits, Regragui made his mark in club football. He began his managerial career in 2014 with Fath Union Sport (FUS) Rabat, building a disciplined team that captured the Moroccan league title in 2016 – the first in the club’s history.

His success continued abroad with Al-Duhail in Qatar, where he won the league, before returning home to lead Wydad AC to a historic double in 2022, claiming both the Moroccan league and the CAF Champions League title.