He's a household name in African soccer. The 48-year-old Moroccan coach has forged a fine reputation for himself in this field, relying on his clear ideas and audacity to make him CAF's 2023 "African Coach of the Year". Spotlight on a man who was predestined to sit on a bench.
His rise has been meteoric.Like a shooting star, the speed at which Walid Regragui has climbed the coaching ladder is beyond calculation. He arrived in this business with his lucky star. Golden hands that magically transform everything he touches. Yes, Walid is a blessed man. Some of his colleagues don't have that dose of baraka that makes them the long-awaited coach of a people, the savior of a nation.
Head always shaved, as if letting his hair grow out prevents him from thinking, Regragui is not one of the old hands of African coaching. At the age of 48, he still embodies the "fresh touch", and can therefore deal with his players."In this profession, you don't invent anything, you reproduce what others do and try to add your own personal touch," he proclaims and his "personal touch" is to be as close to his players as possible."I've always said that it's the coaches who are the most important. I've always said that it's the players who make the coaches. There are crooks in soccer, coaches who want you to believe they're magicians," says Regragui. Perhaps this is the key to his current success.
A daring man at heart
Propelled to the head of the national team in place of the experienced Vahid Halilhodzic less than three months before the start of the World Cup, Regragui (47) immediately took the measure of the position. Subjugated by the heavy workload awaiting him, the former right-back was soon on deck. He knew what he was getting into.Walid was already familiar with the Atlas Lions' dressing room. He has 45 caps to his name, as well as having played in the 2004 AFCON final against Tunisia (a 2-1 defeat). What's more, Regragui was assistant to coach Rachid Taoussi in 2012-2013.
Aided by his academic credentials, which include a general university diploma in economic and social sciences, he knows how to create this unity around his group.
"He's an intelligent lad," confessed Garcia, a consultant for TF1 during the World Cup."He has an innate sense of psychology, and knows how to manage both individuals and the team," confirmed one of his mentors. Building on the teamwork already developed by his predecessor, Regragui will add his own personal touch by instilling a fighting spirit in his players and the rest is history. Morocco was sublimated, buoyed by an insane desire to upset everything in its path in Qatar in 2022. The Atlas Lions put in one of the greatest performances in World Cup history for an African team.Qualifying for the semi-finals.
Although their adventure came to an end at this stage of the competition, as they were beaten by France (2-0), AFRICA was proud of this team.Especially since Morocco had scored prestigious victories over Belgium (2-0) in the group stage, Spain (3-0) in the round of 16 and Portugal (1-0) in the quarter-finals. As Morocco coach, Regragui currently boasts an impressive record of 10 wins, 5 draws and just 3 defeats.
3 league titles and 1 CAF Champions League
His results with Moroccan clubs quickly convinced the country's soccer authorities to entrust him with the reins of the senior national team.Champion with FUS Rabat (2016), where he launched Nayef Aguerd, today one of his pillars in the national team, champion with Duhail SC in Qatar (2020), champion with Wydad Casablanca (2022), Regragui was also winner of the African Champions League (2022). So, he knows all about winning.Voted "African Coach" of the year by CAF this season, Walid Regragui will be one of the most closely watched coaches during the next AFCON (January 13-February 11).
Let's hope his lucky star continues to shine...
