Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has set his sights on becoming the first Arab Muslim manager in the Premier League after taking the Atlas Lions who made history last year by becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.
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Despite Morocco losing to France, the 47-year-old has revealed his long-term personal ambitions include England’s top flight.
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“I grew up in France, I played at the top level. I know I am capable of coaching at a very high level, which is in the Premier League, in France or in Spain.
“Of course, it’s a goal I’ve had since the beginning of my career. I build it slowly,” he told the BBC World Service, before asking, “When will the first Arab or African coach get a job in the Premier League?”
“We have people of colour but they are European. The World Cup showed we were capable but we’re waiting for a club president, owner or chairman who has the courage to give us the chance.”
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This follows after two managers born in Africa lost their jobs in the top two divisions of English football this season.
Former France and Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira, who was born in Senegal, parted company with Crystal Palace in March, with the Eagles 12th in the Premier League at the time.
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Vieira had previously said he was “troubled” by the lack of black managers in both the men’s and women’s top flights in England.
Another ex-Arsenal player, Ivory Coast’s Kolo Toure, was sacked by Championship strugglers Wigan in January after only nine games in charge.
“We are starting to have black coaches in the Premier League and in France,” Regragui continued.
“Unfortunately, it’s always complicated for African coaches in Europe. There is this lack of confidence, which can be legitimate even if I don’t agree with it.
“The truth is that I am lucky to have made this World Cup. But which club owner, president or chairman will have the courage to come and bet on an African coach? “I do think football is changing though.”
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Morocco now shifts focus on the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, with Regragui previously stating Morocco cannot be “kings of the world before being kings of our continent”.
The Atlas Lions were knocked out of the 2021 edition at the quarter-final stage by Egypt.
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Regragui’s predecessor, Vahid Halilhodzic, then parted ways with Morocco just three months before Qatar 2022 following a series of high-profile fall-outs, including with star player Hakim Ziyech.
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“We must be winners, we must have this state of mind. That’s why I put pressure on myself to set an example. And that’s why, famously here in Morocco, I have said that if we don’t go to the semi-finals at the next Cup of Nations, I will resign.
“In Morocco, we want to be a stronghold in Africa. And when we dominate our continent we can also dominate the world.”
