Troussier named as Morroco's coach
Wednesday, 26 October 2005Frenchman Philippe Troussier has been confirmed as the new coach of the Morroccan national team.
Troussier had previously spelt out his desire to succeed Brian Kerr as the manager of the Irish national team, however with no approach forthcoming from the FAI, the Frenchman has decided to take the Morroccan job.
A spokesman at the Moroccan Football Federation confirmed that Troussier has signed a five-year deal through to the 2010 World Cup finals worth ¤50,000 a month.
The 50-year-old Frenchman will have the title of General Manager and National Coach. Earlier this week, the FRMF appointed French-Moroccan Nasser Larguet as technical manager of the squad.
Troussier replaces Badou Zaki who resigned earlier this month after Morocco failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
The move represents something of a home-coming for Troussier, nicknamed the "white witchdoctor" for his successes working in African soccer, coaching in Ivory Coast, Nigeria and South Africa as well as Japan, Qatar and his native France.
He also coached South Africa and Japan at the 1998 and 2002 World Cup tournaments respectively.
Troussier had a brief spell working in Morocco in the mid-1990s, taking the second division outfit FUS Rabat to the Throne Cup title in 1995 and has always kept a home in the country.
