Walid Regragui emerges as Ecuador target with ex-Morocco coach receptive to South American move

Walid Regragui is under serious consideration to become Ecuador head coach, with the former Morocco manager understood to be open to taking on his first job in South American football.

Africa Soccer, citing media reports from Ecuador, says Regragui is among a number of candidates being assessed by the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) as it looks to appoint a successor to Sebastian Beccacece in charge of the senior national side.

Ecuador reached the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup before being eliminated by Mexico, and the federation is now moving quickly to secure a new coach to lead the next phase of its project.

Regragui stance and conditions

According to the same reports, people close to Regragui have informed relevant intermediaries that he would be willing to take the Ecuador job, provided talks between the two parties develop in a way that satisfies his expectations.

The 48-year-old, who led Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup during a highly successful spell in charge of the Atlas Lions, is reported to view a move to Ecuador as a suitable gateway to South American football, which would represent a new chapter in his coaching career.

His openness to the role has encouraged those pushing his candidature, although the decision rests with the FEF, which is weighing up several high-profile options.

Strong international shortlist

Regragui is not the only prominent name on Ecuador’s shortlist.

The federation is also examining Portuguese coach Paulo Bento, along with Argentine pair Marcelo Gallardo and Eduardo Dominguez. Spanish coaches Miguel Angel Ramirez and Robert Moreno are likewise under consideration.

Each of the candidates brings experience at club or international level, and the FEF is understood to be comparing profiles and availability as it narrows down its final choice.

Tight timeline for appointment

Ecuador’s governing body has set itself a firm deadline for the appointment, aiming to confirm its new head coach before the second week of next month.

That timeline is designed to give the successful candidate sufficient preparation time for the upcoming international windows scheduled for September, October and November.

By making an early decision, the FEF hopes to ensure the new coach can assess the squad, impose his playing philosophy and plan for competitive fixtures without delay.

While no formal agreement has yet been reported with any of the shortlisted managers, the combination of Ecuador’s accelerated search and Regragui’s willingness to listen to proposals keeps the former Morocco boss firmly in the frame for a first venture into South American international football.