In his biography, the current coach of the Atlas Lions, Vahid Halilhodzic tells that he was a footballer of character who did not like injustice and hypocrisy.
« I am a man to whom everything can be said in person. I don’t think I’m being selfish. But if I feel that something is being done behind my back, that my football or my human qualities are belittled, then I become a wolf. »
« That’s why I had a lot of problems in my career. Some players can hold back not to rebel, not me… I could have missed my career because of my character. »
Thus, like Hakim Ziyech or Noussair Mazraoui, Vahid explains that he would not have hesitated to tell his four truths to his coaches. The coincidence is striking, the projection too, he who, with age, does not tolerate a player answering him.
The day after his qualification with the Atlas Lions for the World Cup, Qatar 2022, Vahid Halilhodzic criticized his country’s press, which doubted his ability to succeed in his bet. ” Did you doubt that I would qualify for the World Cup a 4th time? he wondered about Sports news before adding: There is a madhouse in Morocco. Moroccans love football and their national team. May be too much. Enthusiasm is great“Halilhodzic explained to Sportske novosti.
Curiously, despite qualifying four times, the Bosnian has played only one final phase of the World Cup and it was with the Fennecs of Algeria. ” Sometimes politics decides, sometimes business“, he slips.
« The results are then not important. For example, in Japan, the Federation decided to do business. There, the sponsors who sponsor the stars heard that I might not take them to the World Cup. In Japan, whoever gives the money decides. So when they heard that I might not call some players, they fired me. »
When asked if he thinks he will always remain manager of the Atlas Lions, Halilhodzic replied: Listen… Anything is possible. Everything is really possible with me, I can’t say anything for sure. I have an extraordinary relationship with the president of the FRMF. »
« When we qualified for Qatar, the King of Morocco congratulated me immediately after the game“, he clarified. ” What greater privilege do you need? It was another confirmation of my success and my work. »
« I have worked a lot, I need a little rest. It hasn’t been easy over the past month. The pressure was impossible. I would even say that she was inhuman. That’s why I need this vacation right now. I’m going to the pool draw in Qatar, then I’m going on vacation. I think after the draw I will stop in Zagreb and then think about everything that will happen next. »