Already dismissed by Côte d'Ivoire, which he had just qualified for the 2010 World Cup, then by Japan, which had climbed to the 2018 World Cup, Halilhodzic fears to experience this heartbreak a third time with the Morocco, which won its ticket in March for the next World Cup in Qatar (November 21-December 18).
In this context, against a background of disagreements between the Bosnian technician and several major players of the Atlas Lions, the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was forced on Tuesday to publish a denial.
"In response to information relayed on Monday, May 2, 2022 by some electronic sites (...), the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) specifies that no meeting has been held to date between the president of the FRMF and the national coach who is still on leave abroad," the Federation said in a statement.
Halilhodzic is expected in Morocco later this week, the statement said.
On Monday, the specialized site Les Lions de l'Atlas announced the "dismissal" of the Franco-Bosnian by the FRMF and his possible replacement by the Portuguese André Villas-Boas.
Despite qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Atlas Lions coach was criticized in Morocco for his choices, such as his decision to no longer call Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech and defender of the national team. Ajax Amsterdam Noussair Mazraoui, who have fallen out with him.
Bosnian coach of Morocco Vahid Halilhodzic speaks to his players during training on January 29, 2022 in Yaoundé, on the eve of the quarter-final of the African Cup of Nations against Egypt Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD AFP/ Archives
But, for his part, the boss of the FRMF, Fouzi Lekjaa, recently made it known that the doors of the national team remained "open to all Moroccan players, whatever the disputes".
The leader intends to discuss the subject with the coach as soon as he returns to Morocco.
Asked at the end of April on Croatian television about his future at the head of the Moroccan selection, Halilhodzic said he was "serene".
Bosnian coach of Morocco Vahid Halilhodzic and his assistants, before the quarter-final of the African Cup of Nations against Egypt, January 30, 2022 in Yaoundé (Cameroon) CHARLY TRIBALLEAU AFP / Archives
Morocco won its ticket for the World Cup-2022 at the end of March after dismissing the Democratic Republic of Congo in the play-off match.
In Qatar, Morocco will face Croatia, Belgium and Canada in Group F.
© 2022 AFP