Issam Al-Shar'i: A Responsibility to Represent Morocco in Europe
Issam Al-Shar'i, the Moroccan coach of Belgian club Westerlo, recently shared insights during an interview on the "Malab Hespress" program, hosted by Mohamed Amin Matbar, the editor-in-chief of the sports section at Hespress. Reflecting on his recent visit to Morocco, Al-Shar'i expressed his satisfaction with the national team's performance against Gabon, despite some constructive critiques. He emphasized the significance of his role in Europe, viewing it as an opportunity to pave the way for other Moroccan coaches. He believes that the value of Moroccan coaches should rise, paralleling the achievements of Moroccan players in recent years.
Al-Shar'i's transition to Westerlo came after diverse experiences in France and Scotland. He recalled that Chelsea had reached out to him following his tenure with the Moroccan Olympic team, and he briefly joined Strasbourg's technical staff alongside Patrick Vieira before serving as an assistant coach at Glasgow Rangers, ultimately leading to his current position as head coach at Westerlo.
Developing Future Stars for the National Team
Discussing his time with the Olympic national team, Al-Shar'i highlighted their triumph in the African Cup of Nations hosted in Morocco and their qualification for the Paris Olympics. He articulated that his primary objective was to prepare players for the senior national team, taking pride in seeing several of his former players continue their journey with the first team. He noted that the success of youth coaches is also measured by their ability to develop players capable of reaching the highest levels of competition.
Al-Shar'i elaborated on his collaborative relationship with national team coach Mohamed Wahbi, emphasizing their continuous exchange of ideas regarding matches, training, and playing styles. He commended Wahbi as a kind person and a good coach, urging Moroccan coaches to foster more cooperation and share experiences, as the success of any Moroccan coach or player should be a source of pride for the profession. Furthermore, he praised Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, recognizing his role in numerous achievements in Moroccan football over recent years, which began under his leadership, including successes at youth and senior levels, culminating in achievements during the World Cup in Qatar.
Regarding his current role at Westerlo, Al-Shar'i noted the club's strong reliance on young players, with the team's average age hovering around 21 years. He views this focus on youth not as a challenge but as an opportunity to develop talent and instill confidence and ambition in players. Al-Shar'i's tactical philosophy leans towards high pressing and raising the defensive line, stressing the importance of organized pressure and tactical flexibility, adapting strategies to suit player capabilities and the nature of the competition. He believes that while core principles remain constant, certain details can be adjusted from match to match to counter opponents' tactics. The synergy between the coaching staff, medical team, and overall team dynamics constitutes a vital component of his coaching philosophy.
Reflecting on his initial coaching experiences in Saudi Arabia, he credited Belgian coach Mark Brys for significantly influencing his early career, particularly in terms of discipline and daily work ethic. Al-Shar'i shared that Brys encouraged him to develop his skills and aspire to lead a team as a head coach, fostering a relationship based on honesty and idea exchange that proved beneficial as he advanced in the coaching world.
Al-Shar'i also clarified his role regarding Hamza Ighanan's transition to Europe, stating he did not play a pivotal role but merely provided a testimonial to assist the player in obtaining a visa for his move to Scotland. He praised Ighanan's performances with FAR Rabat as the primary factor behind his successful transition to Europe, wishing him a swift recovery from injury.
Emphasizing the need for a change in mentality within Moroccan football, Al-Shar'i stressed that success hinges on discipline, hard work, and accountability for both players and coaches. He called for comprehensive improvements in the national league, including infrastructure, training, and player development, in preparation for upcoming challenges, particularly the World Cup in 2030. Al-Shar'i concluded the dialogue by expressing his ambition to compete in the UEFA Champions League, naming Spanish coach Pep Guardiola as a foreign mentor he admires and citing Moroccan coach Hussein Amouta as a role model. He identified Hamza Ighanan as a promising Moroccan player he previously coached, expressing gratitude to Moroccan fans for their unwavering support and reiterating his commitment to representing his country in the best possible light.
Regarding the recent match between the Moroccan national team and Gabon, which ended in a 2-0 victory for Morocco, Al-Shar'i shared his enjoyment of the match, especially as it coincided with his visit to Morocco. He acknowledged that the game had its merits, despite not featuring all key players, and highlighted the opportunity to evaluate new talents and provide them with valuable experience. While he believed the team could have avoided certain challenging moments, particularly after conceding two significant chances to the opponent, he remained generally pleased with the team's performance and the outcome.
As reported by hespress.com.
