Who is Mohamed Ouahbi?
As the Moroccan national football team prepares to face France on July 9, all eyes are on their coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, whose journey to this esteemed position is anything but conventional. Unlike many of his contemporaries who have illustrious playing careers behind them, Ouahbi's background is rooted in education, having spent years as a physical education teacher before transitioning into coaching. At 49 years old and born in Schaerbeek, Belgium, to Moroccan parents, Ouahbi embodies a unique blend of cultural and professional experiences that inform his coaching philosophy.
A Unique Coaching Journey
Throughout his career, Ouahbi has made a name for himself, not through accolades as a player, but through his innovative approach to coaching. He candidly admits to never having aspired to be a professional player, stating, "I never had that moment where I hoped I could play pro. I quickly understood I didn’t have much talent." Instead, he dedicated himself to developing a methodology centered on trust, hard work, and progression. His coaching ethos is succinctly captured in three words: "Believe, work, succeed." This philosophy reflects his belief in the potential of his players, fostering a positive environment where they can thrive.
Ouahbi’s coaching career began alongside his teaching profession at the young age of 21, when he started training youth teams at Maccabi Brussels. Over time, he honed his skills and was eventually recruited by the Anderlecht training center in 2004, where he spent 17 years nurturing young talent. His reputation as a calm yet authoritative coach, capable of motivating players without raising his voice, has set him apart in the competitive world of football coaching.
In 2022, Ouahbi was appointed as coach of Morocco's Under-21 team, and soon after, he was named head coach of the national team, succeeding Walid Regragui just months before the World Cup. His multilingual abilities in French, Arabic, Dutch, and Spanish, along with his composed management style, made him an ideal candidate for this role. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a positive attitude and clear communication with his players, often preferring to address issues calmly and at opportune moments.
Ouahbi’s interests extend beyond football, revealing a broader appreciation for sports; he enjoys watching the Olympics and classic cycling races, highlighting that his relationship with sports is multi-faceted. This perspective resonates with his belief that success is a journey rather than a destination, a sentiment he articulates eloquently. As the Moroccan team steps onto the field against France, the football world will be watching closely to see if Ouahbi's unorthodox path will lead to triumph on the global stage.
As reported by rtl.fr.
