Samba Diawara joins AJ Auxerre after Morocco talks break down

Samba Diawara will not join the Morocco national set-up after opting to continue his coaching career in France with AJ Auxerre.

The Franco-Malian had been in discussions with the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) about taking up a role within its technical structure. One possibility was for him to strengthen the staff of Morocco’s Under-23 side, but the talks did not result in an agreement.

Diawara has instead joined AJ Auxerre as an assistant manager, becoming part of the staff led by Belgian coach Will Still.

He will work alongside former France international Djibril Cisse. Diawara replaces another former France international, Jean-Alain Boumsong, who had held the assistant manager’s position since May 2025, several years after his brief but turbulent experience in his native Cameroon.

The appointment represents another step in Diawara’s coaching career. He began working as a coach in Belgium before joining the Stade de Reims staff in 2022, when the club was managed by Still.

Diawara subsequently took charge of the Stade de Reims first team on an interim basis on two occasions.

His move to Auxerre brings an end, at least for now, to the possibility of him joining Morocco. As recently as a week ago, Diawara was still exchanging with FRMF officials, with no final agreement having been reached over his position within the federation’s structure.

Morocco Under-23 manager Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed last Thursday that the federation was working to strengthen several of its coaching teams, with particular attention being paid to the Under-23 set-up.

“There are recruitments taking place within the federation, at the level of the DTN, but especially also at Under-23 level. We are negotiating with people to join the Under-23 staff,” Ouahbi said.

He also confirmed that Jamel Ait Ben Idir would remain in charge of the Under-23 team, while acknowledging the federation’s intention to appoint an experienced assistant.

“It is clear that we were looking for an experienced assistant profile,” Ouahbi added.

Diawara appeared to be among the coaches being considered by the FRMF. The federation will now have to continue its search after the former Mali international chose to take up the opportunity in the Yonne.