Morocco sacks coach Henri Michel
2008-02-08
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation dismissed national team coach Henri Michel, blaming him for Morocco's early elimination from the African Cup of Nations. The federation is also feeling the heat from fans who say that to revive the national team, the FRMF must include men who understand football well.
By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Rabat – 08/02/08
 [Getty Images] Moroccan national team coach Henri Michel was fired on Thursday. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation cited lack of results and the coach's behaviour at a recent press conference. |
Following the failure of Morocco’s national football team to get past the group phase of the African Cup of Nations last month, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) fired coach Henri Michel on Thursday (February 8th).
"Due to a lack of results and because of his behaviour at a press conference held on January 31st when the national team returned from Ghana, Henri Michel's contract has been terminated," a federation statement said.
Michel was roundly criticised by fans, officials and the sporting press after the Atlas Lions lost 3-2 to Guinea and 2-0 to Ghana. FRMF Vice-President Mohamed Aouzal blamed Michel for the results and cited his "technical mistakes" at a parliamentary hearing on the sporting debacle. During the press conference in Rabat, however, the French manager blamed the players for their early exit from the tournament. The national team has "excellent players but not high-level players that can change the game at any time instead of collapsing at every moment the team is lagging in scoring," Michel said.
The enmity toward Michel began before Morocco’s squad left Ghana. Moroccan national team striker Bouchaib Lembarki decided not to play for the national team as long as Henri Michel remained as coach. According to
Lembarki, Michel "didn't have the enthusiasm for our country". He said other players shared his feelings. Indeed, on the eve of his team's loss to Guinea, defender Talal El Karkouri also decided not to play for the national squad. Lembarki also claimed that Michel favoured players raised in France over those raised in Morocco. Michel wouldn't even greet the Moroccan footballers, he said, adding that after the loss to Ghana, they – not the French – were the only ones rebuked.
Striker Youssouf Hadji agreed that the discrimination between players brought up in Morocco and those raised overseas was clearer than usual. "I play for the national team for the sake of Morocco and not for Henri Michel or anyone else," he said.
Meanwhile, FRMF member Mohamed Mufid ascribed the failure of the Moroccan national team to the players' conceit and their belief that wins against Namibia and Guinea were guaranteed.
Some of the fans who attended matches in the Moroccan Football Premier League last weekend called for the departure of FRMF President, General Housni Benslimane, chanting slogans such as, "Go your way, Benslimane; the Federation is not yours".
Several internet petitions called for sacking both Benslimane and Michel. Someone said, "Regardless of our analysis and explanations, only Benslimane and his men are responsible; the FRMF must include men who understand football well."
A member of Morocco’s parliament agrees with the need to change the FRMF. "The military nature of federations must be curbed as soon as possible, especially as our country has received recommendations from the international soccer governing body, FIFA, on the need to assign the position to civilians," MP Latifa Ajbabdi said.
Fathi Jamal, a national technical director and coach of the Moroccan Olympic squad, will replace Michel as provisional coach for a month. A new coach should then be appointed in time to lead the Atlas Lions in the friendly with Belgium on March 26th.
Email to a friend
Print version
Avant-centre Posted 2008-02-08
What is this story about Henri Michel’s behaviour outside of sports? Thank you
توفيق لطيف Posted 2008-02-09
Congratulations to the national team for all these considerations like the heat they received in Guinea and all their efforts with the national teams of Ghana which lost in the quarter-finals, Namibia in the first round and Guinea in the second round.
Anonymous Posted 2008-02-11
This is not the only person responsible.
محمد يوسفي Posted 2008-02-11
Salam alaikoum. I would like to thank the parliamentarian Latifa Ajbaidi for the point of stopping the military characteristic of federations and assigning them to civilians, setting up an ad-hoc committee with people who have knowledge and high experience in football to change the infrastructure of the football federation and choose the best members who have knowledge in the same field (football), knowing that Morocco is full of young people who are fond of football and love for the nation.
abderrahman Posted 2008-02-11
Zaki, then Zaki and no other one but Zakki.
sanaà Posted 2008-02-11
We are still encouraging and encourage our big team in spite of all difficulties. I hope that a new coach will come and who bears the hopes and dreams to lead the Atlas Lions. Thank you for the topic.
d.g. kett Posted 2008-02-12
When I saw our team play well below its ability against Guinea then against Ghana, I remembered what Colonel Belmajdoub, sr. said to me on the eve of a friendly match against Tunisia (in Tunis in 1976 or 1977), but I was not able appreciate the true impact of his words at the time. The true head of the national team, as he was considered to be according to Tunisia’s current president’s point of view, explained to me that our national team was well trained and could go on to win the 1977 Africa Cup in Addis Ababa with a two to three goal lead. But, this man, so wise in the art of drafting players in the team’s proper interest, said they should not win by more than one goal, which is exactly what happened. Indeed, an overabundance of confidence, and the negative effects it can have on players’ minds, needs to be figured into the coach’s calculations and valued for what it is. I am not saying that Henri Michel was not aware of this, but, especially after the preliminary matches (most notably against France, tied two to two, Senegal, won two to zero, and the first match against Namibia in Accra, won five to one) it was apparently not taken into account as it should have been… like Colonel Belmajdoub or Faria Mahdi would have done (the latter of whom—we all know—coached our team to 1986’s exceptional results in Mexico amongst other places). It is also this overabundance of confidence that may explain the Cameroon’s very weak performance against Egypt during its first match, lost four to two. But, with time, Cameroon but was able to correct its goal-making problems.
rida Posted 2008-02-12
The only solution is that they bring back Bado Zaki who is Moroccan and knows everything. Moreover, if they hire him, they should give him a long period so that he will be able to show the competencies of the team, at least 4 years, then we can judge!!
BEN Posted 2008-02-12
Henri Michel acted as a scapegoat. We are quick to forget everything that has been done for us. There is something political in the air. The young guard is thirsty for power and glory. Indeed, let us wish them “Bon Appetit!” The survivors will see!
said Posted 2008-02-13
No Zakiiiiiiiiiiii! Michel pleeeeeeease!
elgarch hassan Posted 2008-02-13
These are just dogs barking in his wake. Henri Michel amicably took his leave, but some journalists and players, like Youssef Hajji do not want to stop blowing smoke. These are plain-clothes police! Drogba and Eto are making fun of this little lion cub who dared to compare himself with them. Mr. Henri is still right, we do not have any players of real talent. Those who claim that I must be corrupt to defend Henri Michel’s cause, I say to them very seriously that I am not a journalist; I am a Moroccan, belonging to another team in Casablanca. It breaks my heart to see people daring to harm the reputation of a coach such as Mr. Henri Michel. You need to check your attitude and take heed of the facts: we have nothing now and we made a mistake in cancelling Henri Michel’s contract. We still have a little time to correct the past: Henry Michel is still available to fix the situation. If not, then we are going to remain in this confusing ordeal. As for Zaki, he is still one of the best goalies Morocco has ever seen. So, don’t go turning a blind eye. -Elgarch Hassan
aziz Posted 2008-02-13
i agree with henry michel.footbal in morroco is in total collaps.just look at our top teams in the league.they strugle to get result against every one abroad.we relay more and more on the players who were born in france and else where.all we can hope for in the next 20 years at least, is to be present at the african nations cup tournement.and forget the world cup.
gol Posted 2008-02-14
Henri Michel really wanted to say that you cannot make a race horse out of a donkey. Take, for example, the player Lembarki, who never made it past second division in Grenoble. He was out of line to even say that he “had no real enthusiasm for Henri Michel” when he did not even make a goal!!! Let us not even mention the goalie, or should I say “sieve”. So why is Henri Michel expected to candy coat everything?
rida Posted 2008-02-15
Zaki, you don’t know who Zaki is? You don’t know who Zaki is and you want success? We love our country, so fear God in 30 million Moroccans.
said Posted 2008-02-15
Zaki, Zaki is the best coach. Bring back Zaki, he’s the coach of the national team.
walid alioua Posted 2008-02-20
We want Cabello or Moreno.
mustapha Posted 2008-02-23
I wish victory to the national team and I ask everyone to bring back Zaki oh please bring back Zaki, we want the son of our country.
samir Posted 2008-06-08
Moroccan football is weak. [unclear]
abdelilah from riyadh ksa Posted 2008-12-15
moroccan team must take a lessons from ex team players like bado zaki timoumi bouderballa and we have to give more intresting to the locals players good wishes
We welcome your comments on Magharebia's articles.
It is our hope that you will use this forum to interact with other readers across the Maghreb. In order to keep this experience interesting, we ask you to follow the rules outlined in the comments policy. By submitting comments, you are consenting to these rules. While Magharebia.com encourages discussion on all subjects, including sensitive ones, the comments posted are solely the views of those submitting them. Magharebia.com does not necessarily endorse or agree with the ideas, views, or opinions voiced in these comments. This is a moderated forum. Comments deemed abusive, offensive, or those containing profanity may not be published.
Magharebia's Comments Policy