Rulani Mokwena has revealed the reasons that led to his departure from Wydad Athletic Club.
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Prior to the commencement of the 2024/25 season, the South African tactician was announced as the Red Castle's new head coach. The 38-year-old signed a three-year contract, but after five successive league draws late in the season and an early elimination from the Moroccan Throne Cup, the record Moroccan champions decided to part ways with the Johannesburg native.
Speaking on SuperSport TV’s Soccer Africa, Mokwena opened up about the factors that contributed to his dismissal.
“The noise became so much for the president, he stalled and tried to convince people that we are in a project and they said we signed 29 players but we needed to sign. There were only two players left,” he stated.
“There was a transfer ban. I didn’t know there was chaos. I did not know all the players had left. One would come for training today and the next day they would be gone and next week five would go due to the ban.”
“People believed in our abilities but the feeling I got is that Morocco is extremely patriotic. There is a very strong love-and-hate relationship with [Walid] Regragui [Morocco national team coach] but there is some pride that one of them took them to the semi-final of the World Cup,” he added.
“The feeling I got is that people would appreciate having a Moroccan coach taking Wydad to the Club World Cup.
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“I respect it because it makes sense but how it was done is what does not make sense. In 2025, we were unbeaten and I do believe we were onto something, the players were more comfortable but I respect the deep sense of patriotism.”
