Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) has officially announced the dismissal of French head coach Patrice Carteron. This decision comes after a brief tenure of just 40 days, ending a short-lived stint that failed to meet the expectations of the board and supporters, leaving the club at risk of a trophy-less season for the second consecutive year.
Disastrous Numbers: Why Did Carteron Fail with Wydad?
The 55-year-old Carteron took charge on March 24, succeeding Mohamed Benhachem following the club’s disappointing exit from the CAF Confederation Cup. However, the results under his leadership were underwhelming:
- Matches Played: 5
- Wins: 0
- Defeats: 3 (Against FUS Rabat, Maghreb Fès, and Union Yaâcoub el-Mansour)
- Draws: 2 (Against Kawkab Marrakech and Difaâ El Jadida)
This technical failure to secure a single victory made the Frenchman’s continuation impossible amidst mounting pressure from the fans.
Contract Termination Details: Wydad Pays a Massive Settlement
Reports from within the “Benjelloun” complex indicate that the board was forced to pay a heavy financial penalty to terminate Carteron’s contract. The settlement is estimated at approximately $200,000 USD. This financial burden adds to the club’s challenges, especially considering Carteron’s prestigious CV in Africa (Al Ahly, Zamalek, Raja, and TP Mazembe), which dictated high-value contract terms.
Hamouda Benchrifa to Lead the Transitional Phase
The club’s management has decided to rely on “homegrown talent” to steady the ship, appointing Hamouda Benchrifa as the head coach until the end of the season. The new technical staff includes:
- Youssef Achami: Assistant Coach
- Tariq El Jarmouni: Goalkeeping Coach
The board hopes that the technical staff’s deep understanding of Wydad’s identity will provide the “positive shock” needed before the resumption of competitions.
Wydad’s Current Standing in the Moroccan League
Despite high-profile signings during the summer transfer window, Wydad is enduring a turbulent season:
- Current Position: 4th in the Botola Pro.
- Points: 31 points.
- Gap from Top: 6 points behind leaders Maghreb Fès.
The Moroccan league will undergo a lengthy hiatus and is not scheduled to resume until July, with the season concluding after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This gives Benchrifa ample time to restructure the squad.
