The football world has long held Wydad Casablanca in high regard, but recent events have cast a shadow over the storied club. French coach Patrice Carteron’s tenure as manager of the Moroccan giants has yet to yield the expected results, as Wydad has not secured a victory since its remarkable 4-3 comeback against Union Touarga Sport over a month ago. This recent 0-1 defeat to Maghreb de Fes, a rival in the fierce Botola title race, has only exacerbated the anxiety among the club’s loyal fans.
Amidst the ongoing panic, some influential figures have already voiced their concerns, predicting that Wydad’s inability to win a trophy for the fourth consecutive season is a foregone conclusion. With the Botola season only halfway through, Wydad currently sits in the fourth position, just one point behind the league leader. This state of affairs has many questioning whether the team’s perceived “crisis “is real or merely exaggerated.
From 2015 to 2023, Wydad fans were witness to a golden era, where the club won five Botola titles, two CAF Champions Leagues, and one CAF Super League, not to mention appearing in two Champions League finals. This period saw the club seriously challenging for the Botola trophy in seasons when other teams triumphed. However, the rapid collapse of the club after the arrest of its former president, Said Naciri, in 2023 for a drug trafficking case has left many fans haunted by the team’s recent performance.
Naciri’s management style, while contentious, was marked by bold decisions that often turned the club’s fortunes around. His ability to sack coaches and bring in proven managers like John Toshack, Faouzi Benzarti, Houcine Ammouta, and Walid Regragui was a significant factor in Wydad’s success during his tenure. The expectations for his successor, Hicham Ait Menna, were high, but the club’s journey back to its former glory has proven to be more arduous than anticipated.
Despite improvements in non — football areas and investment in the club’s brand and academy, Wydad’s inability to maintain a cohesive squad has been a major setback. The turnover in players, despite significant investments in talent like Hakim Ziyech, Nordin Amrabat, Wissem Ben Yeder, and Moises Paniagua, has left the club struggling. This instability has not gone unnoticed, and it has contributed to the current sense of uncertainty surrounding the team.
The departure of former coach Mohamed Amine Benhachem has also added to the turmoil, with opinions on his dismissal ranging from commendation for his positive results to criticism of the timing of the decision. Now, with Carteron at the helm, the pressure is on for the club to right its ship. Yet, with fan confidence waning and crucial matches ahead, Wydad’s future remains uncertain. The club’s perceived crisis may be more than just a temporary setback; it may require a thorough reassessment of the strategies and foundations upon which Wydad has built its legacy.
Source: moroccoworldnews
Original author: Saad Eddine Lamzouwaq
