Morocco new coach Mohamed Ouahbi extols immediate-past trainer Walid Regragui

Morocco new head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has eulogized immediate-past tactician Walid Regragui for his remarkable achievement during his time with the national team.

Regragui and the Moroccan FA officially severed ties on Thursday, bringing an end to a memorable spell in charge of the Atlas Lions, with Morocco U20 gaffer Ouahbi stepping in as the new trainer of the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup tournament to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Speaking after his unveiling, Ouahbi, who steered the Morocco U20 team World Cup glory last year in Chile, expressed gratitude to Regragui for his outstanding contribution during his tenure.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to Walid Regragui, firstly as a fellow Moroccan, for all the moments he gave us, and also as the coach of the under-20 national team, for all the support he provided me during these four years, for his advice, encouragement, and closeness, even though he wasn’t obligated to be so close to the young national coaches.”

“I also thank him as the coach of the senior national team for the legacy he left us. Today we have a strong team, a team in development, still hungry for more, and most importantly, it’s mine.”

Regragui’s tenure will be remembered as one of the most historic periods in Moroccan football. The former international guided the Atlas Lions to global prominence and helped establish the team as a formidable force on the international stage. His tactical discipline, strong leadership, and ability to build unity within the squad earned him admiration both within Morocco and across the football world.

The 50-year-old enjoyed a remarkable spell with the Moroccan national team, steering the Atlas Lions to the semi-final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and also finishing second in the recently concluded AFCON 2025 tournament.