Samba Diakité nears joining Mohamed Wahbi's staff to coach Morocco

The Moroccan national team appears to be preparing to strengthen its coaching staff with a new face from European pitches, as Belgian and French media reports suggest Samba Diakité is close to leaving Stade Reims, paving the way for a new experience that could lead him to work with the 'Atlas Lions'.

Reports indicate that Diawara, who joined the coaching staff of Stade Reims in 2022, has decided to leave the team after four seasons spent on the bench, in order to seize a professional opportunity abroad. The decision came after discussions between the coach and the club, which respected his wish and allowed him to start a new chapter in his career.

During his time at Stade Reims, Samba Diawara participated in 149 matches as part of the coaching staff, including 23 matches in which he took on the role of head coach.

According to journalist Sasha Tavaleri, the 48-year-old coach is in negotiations with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to join the technical staff of the Moroccan national team led by Mohamed Wahbi.

Diawara has a previous acquaintance with Wahbi, which dates back to their time playing at Sporting, which may facilitate his joining the national team's coaching staff.

Despite the progress in negotiations, no final agreement has been reached yet, while the possibility of Diawara joining the technical staff of the 'Atlas Lions' remains, with the potential for him to also be tasked with working with the Moroccan national team under 23.

If the deal is completed, this will be Samba Diawara's first experience with a national team, as well as his first coaching stint outside Europe, having limited his career as a player and coach to working in France and Belgium.