Walid Regragui has revealed he came close to resigning as Morocco head coach following the team’s early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite entering the tournament as one of the main contenders, buoyed by their remarkable fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup, Morocco’s campaign ended in disappointment.
The Atlas Lions were knocked out at the round of 16 stage, suffering a 2-0 defeat against South Africa, who eventually finished third.
In the immediate aftermath, Regragui did not shy away from acknowledging his part in the failure. “We will return home and reflect carefully on what comes next,” he said at the time.
“I will meet with the president, and we will have a serious conversation. I have always faced up to my responsibilities. Today, I have failed, and I must own that.”
Speculation quickly grew that the coach would step down. However, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) chose to maintain their confidence in him, confirming his continuation in the role.
In an in-depth interview with Spanish publication As, Regragui disclosed that he had indeed submitted his resignation, only to be convinced to stay by FRMF president Fouzi Lekjaa.
“After the disappointment of the last tournament, I wanted to leave,” Regragui admitted. “It has always been a dream of mine to coach my national team.
I have my ambitions, my personal goals. But now, my obsession is singular: to win the Africa Cup of Nations. I want to make history with Morocco. I am hungry for success.”
Reflecting on the decisive conversation with Lekjaa, Regragui recalled, “I had given my word to the president that if things went badly, I would step down. After the tournament, he told me, ‘You are a competitor, and Morocco needs winners. It has been 50 years since Morocco lifted this trophy.
Show everyone you are the one who can bring it back.’ His belief in me made all the difference.”
With that renewed backing, Regragui recommitted himself to leading the Atlas Lions as they set their sights on hosting the next Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The coach, who previously led Wydad Casablanca to the CAF Champions League title, knows the expectations will be monumental.
Yet his words reflect a fierce determination to deliver. “We are on the right track,” he said. “Now we must work tirelessly to enter the history books of this competition.”
Morocco’s long wait for continental success, stretching back half a century, remains a powerful motivation for Regragui and his squad.
After the pain of their early AFCON exit, the challenge ahead is daunting — but their coach’s renewed resolve suggests the dream of glory on home soil is very much alive.
