By Victor Kanayo
After sacking Frenchman Reynald Pedros, Morocco have engaged Women’s World Cup winner and former Spain coach Jorge Vilda as new manager.
Pedros led the North African side to reach first ever semi-final at the World Cup in 2022.
Pedros Terminal
The Tactician joined Morocco in November 2020 and led the team to their first ever World Cup this year in Australia and New Zealand.
But he was relieved of his duty after he couldn’t win some matches recently, leading to the appointment of the new coach.
Vilda Record Amidst Controversy
Vilda, who won the Women’s World Cup with Spain in August, was sacked 10 days after FIFA suspended former Spanish FA (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales for giving a non-consensual kiss to striker Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony in Sydney.
The 42-year-old coach, who considered his dismissal “unfair“, was widely criticised for repeatedly applauding Rubiales during an emergency RFEF assembly in which the latter railed against “false feminism” and vowed not to resign.
Vilda is now also being investigated by Spain’s High Court in the alleged case of sexual assault and coercion against Rubiales following the controversial kiss.
Originally, only Rubiales was under formal investigation, while other federation officials and players were called as witnesses.