Morocco appoints Frenchman Hervé Renard to replace Zaki as coach

The Moroccan Royal Federation of Football has appointed former Ivory Coast boss Herve Renard as the new coach to replace Badou Zaki.

Renard guided the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire to Africa Cup of Nations title glory in 2015, three years after winning it with Zambia’s Chipolopolo.

After his Nations Cup success with the Elephants, Renard left to take over at French club Lille in May but was axed in November last year.

His predecessor Zaki left as coach of the Atlas Lions by mutual consent on February 10.

He has long been acclaimed for his successful performance with the Atlas Lions in 2004 in the African Cup of Nations, but has been under fire recently for his less-than-satisfactory coaching of the Moroccan national team, reports Morocco World News.

It’s also been reported that Zaki has been criticized for his lack of coordination with his two assistants, Said Chiba and Mustapha Haji.

Zaki’s precarious position was compounded by his tense relationship with Haji in recent months.