Expert opinion: "A historic achievement for the country but also for the continent," Antoine Morin reflects on the Walid Regragui era | OneFootball

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Expert opinion: "A historic achievement for the country but also for the continent," Antoine Morin reflects on the Walid Regragui era | OneFootball

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·6 March 2026

Expert opinion: "A historic achievement for the country but also for the continent," Antoine Morin reflects on the Walid Regragui era

Article image:Expert opinion: "A historic achievement for the country but also for the continent," Antoine Morin reflects on the Walid Regragui era

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Expert opinion: Antoine Morin analyzes the departure of Walid Regragui

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Article image:Expert opinion: "A historic achievement for the country but also for the continent," Antoine Morin reflects on the Walid Regragui era

Expert opinion: "A historic achievement for the country but also for the continent," Antoine Morin reflects on the Walid Regragui era

It's now official: Walid Regragui, who led Morocco to a World Cup semi-final in 2022, is no longer the head coach of the Atlas Lions. The decision was announced last night, marking the end of a remarkable era for Moroccan football. Regragui leaves his post without having secured a major trophy with the national team, but his tenure will remain etched in the country's history.

The Moroccan tactician also made his departure official through a video posted on his Instagram account, accompanied by a symbolic message: "Long live Morocco, God, Homeland, King. Thank you." A humble farewell that closes out an intense chapter at the helm of a talented generation.

See this post on Instagram A post shared by Walid Regragui (@walid.regragui)

On this occasion, beIN Sports journalist and commentator Antoine Morin, shared exclusively with Foot-Africa his "expert opinion" on a decision that sent shockwaves through African football and beyond.

A historic success or a missed opportunity?

For Antoine Morin, Walid Regragui's record is above all a positive one, despite the absence of a continental trophy.

"Walid Regragui's run is a historic achievement with what he accomplished, especially that World Cup semi-final, which was monumental not only for the country but also for the continent. Sure, the two subsequent AFCONs weren't victorious and expectations were sky-high for the 2025 edition on home soil, but in the end Regragui was just a panenka away from being African champion, so for me it's hard to call this a failure."

A risky change ahead of the 2026 World Cup?

Switching head coaches on the eve of a major tournament is always a delicate call. But Regragui's own story shows that such a gamble can pay off.

"Obviously, it's risky to change head coach so close to a big competition, but Regragui himself proved that this doesn't prevent success. He took charge of the Atlas Lions in August 2022 and reached the World Cup semi-finals in December. The team is strong, with a solid foundation and clear strengths the new coach can build on. Still, it's a less comfortable situation than having a coach who's been in place for several years and has a track record of results."

Who will succeed Regragui?

While a final decision is pending, Belgian-Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi has been appointed interim manager. It's a solution that seems to have Antoine Morin's approval.

"I think selecting the U20 World Cup-winning coach is a good move. He has shown he can get very talented players to play together and unite the squad. The other name I thought was legitimate is Tarik Sektioui, who manages the Moroccan local-based squad and who won the CHAN in August and the Arab Cup in December. Morocco is showing it has excellent coaches. They deserve trust rather than going back to foreign managers."

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