Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has become one of the biggest success stories at the FIFA World Cup. He has guided the Atlas Lions to the quarter-finals with an unbeaten record and an exciting style of football.
The 49-year-old, who was born in Belgium, will now lead Morocco into a huge quarter-final clash against France on Thursday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
From doubted student to national coach
Ouahbi’s journey has not been easy. During his first year at university, one professor told him he would never become a good physical education teacher.
The professor believed Ouahbi lacked the communication skills needed to teach students.
Speaking to French football magazine Onze Mondial, Ouahbi recalled the painful moment.
“I remember my first year of studying very well,” he said.
“A professor told me that I was not made for teaching, giving lessons or communicating.”
Instead of giving up, Ouahbi used those words as motivation. Today, he leads one of the most exciting teams at the World Cup.
Building success through youth football
Ouahbi never enjoyed a major playing career. However, he found success on the touchline.
He spent 17 years developing young players at Belgian club Anderlecht. During that time, he helped shape the careers of Belgium stars Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku.
His work with young players earned him a strong reputation across European football.
Morocco took a bold step
Morocco appointed Ouahbi just three months before the World Cup. He replaced Walid Regragui despite having little experience with senior teams.
Before accepting the national team job, Ouahbi worked as an assistant coach at Anderlecht for one season. Most of his coaching career came at youth level.
Even so, Morocco believed he could succeed.
That decision has paid off. Morocco remain unbeaten at the tournament and have impressed with both their defence and attack.
Previous success gave Morocco confidence
Ouahbi already knew how to win with Morocco.
Last year, he led the country’s Under-20 team to the World Cup title. Morocco beat France on penalties in the semi-finals before defeating Argentina in the final.
Those achievements convinced the Moroccan Football Federation to trust him with the senior team.
France present the biggest challenge
Morocco now face their toughest test against France. The European giants boast one of the strongest squads in the tournament, led by star forward Kylian Mbappe.
Still, Ouahbi has already changed many opinions.
Former Morocco midfielder Abdelaziz Bennij admitted that people questioned the coach when he arrived.
“There were question marks over his ability to coach a team full of stars, but what we saw in the friendlies was promising,” Bennij said.
“He arrived when everyone was worried. It was a huge gamble, and he has succeeded.”
A victory over France would make Ouahbi’s remarkable journey even more memorable. The coach who once faced doubts in the classroom now stands just one step away from the World Cup semi-finals.
