After a five-month period of unemployment, former Morocco U23 team coach Issame Charaï has found a new position. Despite being dismissed on February 29 while boasting an impressive record of 10 wins, 0 draws, and 3 losses, along with a CAN U23 title in July 2023 and securing a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics, Charaï has made a comeback in Europe.
The 42-year-old Belgian tactician has been appointed as the assistant coach for RC Strasbourg. This announcement was made by the 13th-placed team in the last Ligue 1 season through their official website on Thursday. Alongside former Malian international Kalifa Cissé, who has five caps, Charaï will assist the newly appointed head coach Liam Rosenior, who stepped in following the departure of 1998 World Cup champion Patrick Vieira.
Charaï’s dismissal had stirred much speculation, with rumors suggesting potential conflicts with the senior team coach, Walid Regragui. The differing strategic visions between the two coaches, within the broader framework of a national strategy aiming to synchronize the various squads, seemingly reached a breaking point.
Ironically, Charaï’s move to France comes just months before the Olympic Games in Paris. His former team kicked off their campaign on Wednesday by defeating Argentina 2-1 amidst a VAR controversy. The match was interrupted for nearly two hours and resumed for the final three minutes after Argentina’s equalizer was nullified by the VAR, much to the initial confusion of the onlookers.