Former Spain manager Jorge Vilda has been appointed head coach of the Morocco women’s team.
Vilda led Spain to the Women’s World Cup title in July, when they defeated England 1-0 in the final.
However, due to the fallout from the former Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) president’s Luis Rubiales scandal, the 42-year-old was fired within a month.
Rubiales was chastised for kissing striker Jennifer Hermoso on the lips during the presentation of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final trophy, and Vilda was accused of justifying the act, which the player said was not consensual.
Vilda takes over from Reynald Pedros, who helped Morocco qualify for their first Women’s World Cup in 2023 and led them to the last 16 before losing to France.
Pedros leaves Morocco after losing 0-2 and 6-2 last month against Zambia in back-to-back friendly matches.
“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation contracted the Spanish coach, Mr. Vilda, to coach the women’s national football team in the next stage,” the Moroccan football federation said in a statement.
The federation also thanked Pedros for “the work he accomplished, especially the qualification to the second round of the World Cup”.
Vilda is expected to be unveiled this Sunday in Morocco.
His first assignment with the Atlas Lionesses will be a back-to-back 2024 Paris Olympic qualifier against Namibia on the 23rd and 31st of October 2023.
