Moustapha Hadji dismisses fall-out with Herve Renard

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Saturday Jul 07, 2018. 15:00

Moroccan legend Moustapha Hadji has rubbished reports of a fall-out between him and the national team coach Herve Renard.

The Atlas Lions assistant coach says there is brotherhood between him and the French manager, as he dismissed the claims.

Reports emerged last week that Hadji’s relationship with many of the team’s key players created an unfriendly climate in Russia at the World Cup, leading to complications with the head coach Renard.

Sources at the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) alleged that Hadji’s departure from the coaching staff was one of the requirements Renard submitted to FRMF to retain his managing position with Atlas Lions.

“No one has the right to speak on Hervé’s or my behalf,” he said to 2M Radio.

“Our partnership goes beyond a simple professional relationship. He is first and foremost a friend and an elder brother.

“Our collaboration, including with Renard, Patrice Bomel (the first assistant coach), the whole technical staff, and the team itself is exemplary and exceptional. Football aside, if one day I have a problem, I know I can count on Hervé Renard.”

The North Africans failed to reach the knockout stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup as they lost to Iran and to Portugal, but drew 2-2 against Spain in Group B.