Moroccan FA renews confidence in Eric Gerets despite 2012 Afcon exit - report

Morocco’s football federation president Ali Fassi Fihri says that the Belgian coach has long-term goals with the Atlas Lions and there is no intention to sack him

Feb 7, 2012 5:33:00 PM

By Rami Ayari

More On :  Morocco, Eric Gerets
Eric Gerets - Morocco
إيريك جيريتس - منتخب المغرب

Morocco Royal Football Federation (FRMF) president Ali Fassi Fihri has confirmed that Eric Gerets will remain in place as Atlas Lions coach despite a disappointing first round exit at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) due to losses against Tunisia and co-hosts Gabon.

“The mission entrusted to him is to construct a competitive national team for 2014. The snag in Libreville is certainly regrettable but it cannot call into question the excellent work done by Eric Gerets nor his strong desire to live out a great footballing adventure,” said Fihri while speaking to Le Matin.

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The FA president added that the former Marseille manager wasn’t hired for a brief stint with the Moroccan national team but for a long-term project. Cutting it short, he says, would not be beneficial to the Atlas Lions setup.

“We have a four year contract with Gerets, with a number of objectives and we assume the results. Previous experiences, whether they are positive or negative, in clubs or at country level, strongly show that when there is stability and continuity in work, the results follow,” he explained.

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