Wydad Part Ways With Paulo Sérgio After Just Four League Rounds
Wydad Casablanca have ended their relationship with Portuguese coach Paulo Sérgio after a disappointing opening to the 2026–27 Moroccan professional league season. The decision came after only four rounds, as the club’s early results fell short of expectations and intensified frustration among supporters.
In a statement published on its social media accounts on Thursday, Wydad confirmed that it had “reached an agreement to end its association with the Portuguese coach Paulo Sérgio” and terminate his contract by mutual consent. The club thanked him for his time in charge, but the brief announcement followed a run of performances that left little room for patience at one of Morocco’s most ambitious football institutions.
A difficult start derails Wydad’s title ambitions
Wydad began the campaign with a clear objective: return to the top of Moroccan football and challenge for major honours. Instead, the team’s first four matches produced just one victory, alongside one defeat and two draws. Five points from a possible 12 represented a poor return for a side expected to compete near the top of the table.
The warning signs appeared immediately. Wydad suffered a 3–1 defeat to Wydad Témara in the opening round, an unexpectedly heavy setback that placed Sérgio under pressure from the outset. Although the team later secured its only win of the spell away to Difaâ Hassani El Jadidi, it could not build momentum. Draws against Meknès Club and Amal Tiznit further stalled the campaign.
Four matches are a small sample in a long league season, and a slow start does not automatically end a club’s title hopes. But for Wydad, the results carried added weight because of the club’s expectations, its large fan base and the importance of making a convincing start. The early points dropped also left the team needing to recover ground while rivals began building consistency.
Home form becomes the defining problem
The most striking feature of Sérgio’s short tenure was Wydad’s failure to win at the Mohammed V Complex. The Casablanca side played three home matches under the Portuguese coach, losing to Wydad Témara and drawing with Meknès Club and Amal Tiznit. His only victory came away from home.
That record was especially troubling because Wydad’s home ground is more than a venue. It is a source of identity and a place where the club traditionally draws energy from its supporters. When results do not follow, the atmosphere can quickly turn tense. Sunday’s draw with Amal Tiznit proved a particularly difficult moment, with the result prompting anger among fans and adding to pressure on the club’s leadership.
For any coach, winning at home is important; for a club with Wydad’s ambitions, it can be essential. A strong home record helps create momentum, gives players confidence and makes the stadium a difficult destination for visiting teams. Sérgio’s inability to deliver a home victory became a visible measure of the team’s wider struggles.
Another change in a period of coaching turnover
Sérgio’s departure adds to a growing list of coaching changes at Wydad since last season. Amine Benhachem, Patrice Carteron, Mohamed Bencherifa and Adel Harmach are among the names who have also held the position during a period marked by frequent changes in the technical leadership.
Such turnover can make it difficult for a team to establish a consistent playing style. New coaches often bring different tactical systems, training methods and ideas about squad selection. Players may need time to adapt, while recruitment and long-term planning can become harder when the person in charge changes regularly. Wydad’s latest decision may be intended to spark an immediate improvement, but it also raises questions about how the club can create greater stability beyond the next appointment.
The challenge for the management is therefore twofold: find a coach capable of improving results quickly, and give that coach a clear framework in which to work. With the season still young, there is time to respond, but the next appointment will face pressure to restore confidence as well as collect points.
Nasreddine El Nabi reportedly in line for the role
Moroccan media reports say Wydad have reached an agreement with Tunisian coach Nasreddine El Nabi to take charge of the team. El Nabi, who has previously worked with Egypt’s Ismaily, is reportedly expected to lead the Casablanca club through its next phase, with an official announcement anticipated soon.
If confirmed, the appointment would give Wydad an opportunity to reset after a turbulent opening. El Nabi’s first priorities are likely to include stabilising the defence, improving the team’s performance at home and helping the players regain confidence. He will also need to assess the squad quickly and decide whether the existing group can meet the club’s ambitions without major changes.
Any early football prediction about Wydad’s season should be treated with caution. Four rounds are not enough to define the campaign, and a new coach can sometimes bring a rapid lift in performance. However, the club’s points total and home record show that the margin for error is already narrowing. Wydad will need a quick response if it hopes to re-enter the title conversation and reassure supporters that the season remains on track.
For now, Sérgio’s short spell ends as a reminder of the intensity surrounding one of Moroccan football’s biggest clubs. The next coach will inherit a team with substantial expectations, a passionate fan base and an urgent need to turn promise into results.
