El Cherki: I exchange views with Wahbi... Representing Morocco in Europe is a great responsibility

Olympic Experience: The Goal is to Prepare Players for the Senior Team

Chergui discussed his experience with the Olympic national team, where he won the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and led the team to qualify for the Paris Olympics, noting that his primary goal was to prepare players for the senior national team.

The Moroccan coach expressed pride in seeing several of his former players continue their careers with the senior team, affirming that the success of youth coaches is also measured by their ability to develop players who reach the highest levels.

Chergui: My Relationship with Wahbi is Based on Idea Exchange

Chergui revealed his relationship with Mohamed Wahbi, the Moroccan national coach, confirming ongoing communication and the exchange of ideas regarding matches, training, and playing styles.

The coach praised Wahbi, describing him as "a kind person and a good coach," and urged Moroccan coaches to enhance cooperation and share experiences, considering that the success of any Moroccan coach or player should be a source of pride for the rest of the profession.

Chergui: Lekjaa has Led a Successful Path with the National Teams

Issam Chergui commended Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, calling him "a kind person," and noting that many achievements in Moroccan football in recent years began under his leadership, whether at the youth national team level or the senior team, culminating in the results achieved in Qatar.

The speaker added that the efforts made during this phase contributed to building a strong foundation for the national teams, indicating that the results and achievements are the outcome of continuous work in training, structuring, and developing Moroccan football.

Westerlo: A Project Based on Young Players

Regarding his current experience with Westerlo, Chergui explained that the club relies heavily on young players, with the average age of the team around 21 years, affirming that this is a challenge rather than a problem for him.

The coach stated that his philosophy focuses on developing players and instilling confidence and ambition in them, noting that several players who recently left the club moved to other teams as part of Westerlo's project to develop young talents.

High Press and Flexibility: Features of Chergui's Philosophy

On his tactical ideas, Chergui said he prefers high pressing and pushing the defensive line forward, but emphasized the need for organized and directed pressure, while also stressing the importance of tactical flexibility and adapting the style of play to the players' capabilities and the nature of the opponent.

The speaker added that the core principles remain constant, while some details can change from match to match to counter opponents' tactics, and he noted that teamwork among the coaching, medical staff, and other team components is an essential part of his philosophy.

Marc Brys and the Start of My Coaching Journey

The national coach also spoke about his first experience as an assistant coach in Saudi Arabia, explaining that Belgian coach Marc Brys played a significant role in the early stages of his career, particularly regarding discipline and daily work.

Chergui mentioned that Brys encouraged him early on to develop himself and strive to lead a team as a head coach, noting that their relationship was based on honesty and the exchange of ideas, which helped him continue his journey in the coaching world.

Igaman: Chergui Clarifies His Role in His Move to Europe

The Hespress guest also discussed his experience with Glasgow Rangers, denying that he played a major role in Hamza Igaman's move to Europe, clarifying that his contribution was limited to providing a certificate to prove the player's capabilities to assist him in obtaining a special visa to move to Scotland.

The Moroccan coach praised Igaman, considering that the work the player did with FAR Rabat was the main reason for his move to Europe, wishing him a speedy recovery from injury and a return to the pitch as soon as possible.

Chergui: We Need to Change Mentalities

Chergui stressed that developing Moroccan football requires a change in mentalities, both for players and coaches, adding that discipline, hard work, and accountability are key factors for success.

The speaker also called for the development of the national league in all aspects, including infrastructure, training, coaches, and players, in preparation for upcoming challenges, especially the 2030 World Cup.

UEFA Champions League: The Biggest Dream

Chergui revealed at the end of the interview his ambition to participate in the UEFA Champions League, choosing Spanish coach Pep Guardiola as a foreign coach whose ideas he admires, while naming Hossain Ammouta as a Moroccan coach he considers a role model.

The coach also selected Hamza Igaman as a Moroccan player he previously coached and expects a bright future for, while simultaneously expressing gratitude to the Moroccan public for their continuous support, affirming his desire to represent his country in the best possible way.

Chergui: The Gabon Match was Good Despite Some Observations

Regarding the match between the Moroccan national team and their Gabonese counterpart, which ended in a 2-0 victory for the "Lions," Issam Chergui stated that he enjoyed the encounter, especially as it coincided with his visit to Morocco, noting that the match was generally good despite the absence of some key players.

The national coach explained that the match saw many changes and the inclusion of several young players, indicating that this provided an opportunity to assess the capabilities of new elements and grant them more experience with the senior team. He added, "Honestly, it was an ordinary match, but we saw many changes, players who were not present, players who were substituted, and many young players. Overall, the match was good for me."

The Moroccan coach noted that the national team could have avoided some difficult moments during the match, especially after giving the opponent two clear chances that could have been exploited to score. He concluded by saying that these details remain aspects to work on in the future, despite his overall satisfaction with the team's performance and the result achieved.