Morocco Xavi talks are underway as the Royal Moroccan Football Federation moves to appoint a new head coach following Walid Regragui’s departure.
Under the leadership of Fouzi Lekjaa, the federation has opened negotiations with former FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández, according to sources close to the process.
Regragui and the federation agreed to part ways last week after Morocco failed to secure the Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil — a campaign that carried heavy expectation.
When ambition outgrows continuity
Morocco’s recent rise in global football, highlighted by strong performances on the international stage in recent years, has reshaped internal benchmarks. Hosting AFCON intensified pressure to deliver silverware.
Falling short appears to have accelerated a strategic pivot.
Replacing a national team coach after a near-miss tournament is rarely about a single result. It reflects long-term vision, federation confidence, and competitive trajectory ahead of major cycles.
Why Xavi fits the profile
Sources indicate discussions with Xavi are progressing, with the former Spanish international viewed as a candidate capable of ushering in a new technical era.
Xavi’s managerial identity — possession-based structure, positional discipline, and emphasis on tactical intelligence — would represent a stylistic evolution for the Atlas Lions.
For Morocco, the calculation is clear: blend domestic talent depth with elite European coaching pedigree ahead of the next FIFA World Cup.
If an agreement is reached, Xavi would be expected to lead Morocco into the summer tournament cycle, tasked with sustaining the nation’s competitive edge while elevating expectations further.
The timing question
National team transitions carry compressed timelines. World Cup qualification, squad integration, and tactical recalibration leave little margin for extended experimentation.
Should talks conclude successfully, the federation would be making a decisive statement — prioritising global pedigree and long-term ambition over short-term continuity.
For now, negotiations continue. Regragui’s chapter has closed. Whether Xavi authors the next one depends on terms still being finalised behind closed doors.
This is IDNN. Independent. Digital. Uncompromising.
