Mohamed Ouahbi says he will prioritise continuity and performance as he takes charge of the Morocco national football team.
Speaking on Thursday after his appointment was announced by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Ouahbi said he does not plan sweeping changes to the national side.
“The most important thing is continuity because work has already been done,” he said. “We will rely on the right foundations and we will not make a big revolution in the national team.”
Ouahbi replaces former coach Walid Regragui at a time when Moroccan football is seeking to build on recent progress at international level.
Best players will be selected
The new coach also addressed the possibility of calling up players he led to victory at the Under-20 World Cup.
He said age would not influence his decisions when selecting players.
“The players who will wear the national shirt will be the best players,” he said. “For me there is no difference between a player who is 19 and another who is 30.”
He added that young players would not be selected simply because of their age.
“I will not call up a young player just because he is young and I will not refuse to call him because he is still young. The best players will play.”
Ouahbi said performance will remain the main criterion for earning a place in the squad, as he aims to build a competitive national team.
Focus on development
The coach said he intends to continue working in the same way he has throughout his career, adding that he remains highly motivated.
Asked about the terms of his agreement with the federation, Ouahbi said the most important commitment for now is a moral one.
“The only contract I have at the moment is a moral contract and that is what matters,” he said.
Ouahbi has extensive experience in youth development. He spent 17 years working within the system of Belgian club RSC Anderlecht and is now in his fifth year within Morocco’s national technical structure.
“I am someone who cares about projects and building,” he said. “I am not here to build again from the start because we already have a base. We want to continue the work that has been done and keep improving.”
