The official statement speaks of "divergences" in the preparation of the World Cup in Qatar

Morocco sack Halilhodzic and prevent him from achieving an all-time record

Vahid Halilhodzic could be the only coach to have coached four different teams at a World Cup. He didn't do it with Ivory Coast in 2010 after qualifying the African team, he didn't do it with Japan in 2018 after closing the passport and now he won't do it with Morocco in Qatar after collecting another sacking. The only time he has been able to sit on the bench at a World Cup finals was in 2014 when he coached Algeria in Brazil. 

The Bosnian coach's temperament has for months been at odds with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which is not very patient with foreign figures on its coaching staff. This has happened, for example, with Spanish youth coaches who have seen their contracts terminated by the federation without much explanation.

Halilhodzic is leaving Morocco after three years in charge because of "divergences" in the way the North African team is preparing for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. The FRMF said in a statement: "Due to a divergence of views between the FRMF and the coach for the ideal preparation of the Atlas Lions for the finals of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the two parties have agreed to part ways amicably. 

The two parties have been very respectful in parting ways. Halilhodzic has been one of the highest paid coaches in Africa and his knowledge of the game has served to boost a team that has an outstanding generation of players from whom the country expects a good showing in Qatar. 

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has also confirmed that it will "mobilise all its resources" to ensure that the national team is "well prepared" for the big event in November. Behind these words would be an important offer to Walid Regragui, coach of Qatar's Al-Duhail SC and 2022 Asian Champions League winner, to take charge of the Atlas Lions in the months leading up to their preparations. 

Although Regragui was born in France, he was capped by Morocco and is the choice of president Fauzi Lakjaa to close the circle and bring everything in-house at such an important time for the national team in a World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations season in June. 

Morocco's preparation and play will be an important objective, but even more so to get back stars like Ziyech who refused to play for his country because of disagreements with Halilhodzic. It was this situation that sparked the wrath of fans on social media against the Bosnian to force his sacking. 

Morocco are now looking to Qatar after sacking the coach on whom they have built their World Cup qualification. It remains to be seen whether the FRMF has paid Halilhodzic any compensation or whether Lakjaa has kept his word not to spend a dirham on the Bosnian's sacking.

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