CDM 2022, dismissal, FRMF, tensions, successors… Vahid Halilhodzic and the 40 rumors

Is Vahid Halilhodzic the man to beat before the 2022 World Cup? According to the international press, in particular French, the coach of the Atlas Lions will not survive at the head of the national team to compete in the 2022 World Cup. Statements that have caused a lot of ink to flow, pushing the Royal Federation Moroccan Football (FRMF) to react.

Does Vahid Halilhodzic live his last moments on the Moroccan bench? Wonders RMC Sports, while Foot Mercato claims that the Bosnian technician is pushed towards the exit, in particular because of his conflict with Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui, the two stars banned from the selection for “bad behavior”according to the coach.

Indeed, the Chelsea player and the Ajax Amsterdam player had declined the FRMF’s invitation to join the selection for the CDM 2022 play-offs. The two players accused the coach of “lies” and lack of communication. towards them.

While the Moroccan Federation is trying to ease tensions and obtain the reinstatement of the two players in view of the group stage of the World Cup where Morocco will face Belgium, Canada and Croatia, Vahid , continues to be in the crosshairs of the supporters and in particular of the press which announces his immediate departure.

Moreover, Foot Mercato announces that a decisive meeting must take place in the coming days between the president of the FRMF, Lekjaa and Ziyech and Mazraoui with a view to their return for the World Cup.

If the two men again refuse to return to the selection because of the presence of Vahid, the Franco-Bosnian could well pay the price and leave his post, adds FM, going even further, assuring that the FRMF would have already drawn up a list of potential successors including a majority of French speakers like Claude Puel, Rudi Garcia or Laurent Blanc, all currently free. Walid Regragui, who makes the heyday of Wydad Casablanca is also one of the contenders.

What is it really? Is Vahid Halilhodzic really on an ejection seat as many claim? Contacted by MoroccoLatestNews UKa source within the Moroccan authority said he was surprised by the information released in the press, assuring that Vahid Halilhodzic will continue at the head of the national team.

“Vahid is currently on vacation, he is resting with his family. He is still the coach of the national team and has managed to build a strong and cohesive group. There is no intention of parting ways with him months away from the 2022 World Cup.”specifies the same source who wants to put an end to a controversy which has ” too hard “.

The beginnings of an endless controversy

Vahid Halilhodzic is not his first dismissal rumor. Since his arrival in 2019, the former FC Nantes player has struggled to gain the trust of the public, disappointed by his tactical and technical choices.

After the debacle during the elimination in the quarter-finals of the CAN 2021 at the hands of Egypt, Vahid Halilhodzic was the subject of all forms of criticism and a smear campaign on social networks, where the hashtag “# VahidOut” had circled the platform for several weeks.

Far from what can be said about him, the Bosnian technician has ignored everything that could disturb him, counting on his players in whom he has blind confidence as he had expressed on many occasions to qualify the nation at his second 2022 World Cup.

Although he has achieved one of the objectives set by the FRMF, the former coach of the Fennecs does not seem to find favor in the eyes of the supporters who are still demanding the return of Ziyech and Mazraoui.

Moreover, rumors of his departure resumed after statements by Fouzi Lekjaâ during his presence in the Twitter space organized by the Soccer212 football page.

Asked about the future of his coach, Lekjaa took no position, and aroused suspicion when he claimed that no one was safe including him.

” Nothing is fixed. We cannot say today that he is indispensable and untouchable, just as we cannot say that Fouzi Lekjaa is indispensable and untouchable. In management systems, everything is dynamic. The most important thing today is that we are qualified, we are not under pressure, we have time, we discuss, we think. The most important thing, as I said, is to arrive on D-Day in the best situation to honor the 40 million Moroccans and make them proud of their national team,” declared the boss of the Moroccan body.

Remarks that had been interpreted as a lack of support and the scathing response from the principal concerned did not help matters.

“I have no comments on this, and it does not interest me”, first declared the Franco-Bosnian technician. He is then asked about his future plans on the national bench, by the 2022 World Cup: “time will tell us. I did my job, the results are there, I have no problem”he had replied to the Bosnian media SportClub.

From there, the debate has returned to its original place and continues to divide on social networks. Some think it wouldn’t be ingenious to part ways with Vahid a few months from world competition, while others prefer the return of Mazraoui and Ziyech to the detriment of the Bosnian.

Vahid, Turkish face?

It has never been unanimous. Vahid Halilhodzic has always been a very difficult character to pin down. His authoritarianism, his ability to be limited and lock himself in his certainties showed that he did not always have the answers to these questions.

Indeed, the former Raja Casablanca has been talked about more for his muscular media outings, his dislike for Moroccan journalists and his showdown with many players.

A strategy he has adopted since the beginning of his term: attack is the best defense, a policy that seems to be lacking.

Is Vahid the subject of a smear campaign? For the moment, the FRMF has taken a position in the file, wanting the good of the selection above all, with the maintenance of the coach and the return of the two stars Hakim Ziyech and Noussair Mazraoui. Will the body succeed in reconciling the two parties? Only the future will tell us.