Rabat – Walid Regragui has officially stepped down as Morocco’s head coach, with Mohamed Ouahbi set to replace him. The announcement came during an honoring ceremony at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, where Regragui gave a farewell speech.
He said the team needs “a new breath” ahead of the World Cup and wished success to his successor, Mohamed Ouahbi, who is set to take over the Atlas Lions.
Regragui said his relationship with the national team goes far beyond his time as head coach. He described a long personal journey with Morocco, first as a supporter, then as a player, later as an assistant coach, and finally as national team boss.
“The attachment that ties me to this team is not new,” he said, adding that he has lived “extraordinary and intense” moments through Morocco’s national side.
Regragui recalled taking charge with limited time before the 2022 World Cup, saying he inherited a talented group that still needed structure.
He said the staff focused on giving the squad a clear framework, a playing identity, and stronger unity.
His goal, he explained, was not only to build a competitive team, but also to install a winning mentality. “The objective was to help this team grow… and above all to teach it the culture of winning,” he said.
Regragui stressed that he gave everything to the job. He said no one can question his honesty or commitment, adding that he never compromised on effort or seriousness. “I always had the objective of giving the best of myself with honesty and total commitment,” he said.
He pointed to what he described as historic progress during his tenure, highlighting Morocco’s run to the World Cup semi-finals, the team reaching an Africa Cup of Nations final for the first time in 22 years, and Morocco climbing to eighth in the FIFA rankings.
“We entered the world top 10, which is extraordinary,” he said, adding that he believes Morocco can achieve even more in the future.
Regragui also linked Morocco’s rise to broader national support and investment in football. He thanked King Mohammed VI for what he called a strategic and ambitious vision for Moroccan sport, and said improved infrastructure and governance helped create a high-performance environment.
In his speech, Regragui addressed the timing of his departure and acknowledged that some people may not understand it. But he said elite football often works in cycles, and that sometimes a group needs different energy and a new perspective.
“There are moments when the dynamic needs new faces, a different energy, and a new look,” he said.
After taking time to reflect, Regragui said he reached a clear conclusion: Morocco needed a new direction before the World Cup to keep progressing and to meet the country’s ambitions. He framed his exit as a decision made for the team’s future, not as a surrender.
“This decision is not a renunciation,” he said. “On the contrary, it is a thoughtful choice for the good of our country and our football.”
Regragui said he leaves behind a strong group that knows its worth and no longer fears big challenges. “It’s a team that is no longer afraid to face the biggest sides,” he said.
He closed by thanking the federation president, his technical and medical staff, and the many behind-the-scenes workers who support the national team, from nutrition to logistics and equipment.
He ended by singling out the players as the key part of the journey – and by wishing good luck to Mohamed Ouahbi as he prepares to lead Morocco into the next stage.