Foot: "Coaches need to be coloured a bit", former Morocco international Abdeslam Ouaddou settles his accounts with the FFF

Abdeslam Ouaddou, a former Moroccan international and now head coach of Orlando Pirates in South Africa, has publicly criticized the French Football Federation (FFF) over what he describes as bureaucratic hurdles during his transition into coaching. Speaking to L'Équipe, Ouaddou detailed how his attempts to obtain a professional coaching license in France were repeatedly blocked, leading him to question the federation’s approach to developing coaches. Ouaddou, who played 185 matches in Ligue 1 with clubs including Nancy, Rennes, and Valenciennes, as well as a stint in England with Fulham, ended his playing career in 2013. He later joined the youth academy of AS Nancy as an educator before moving into coaching. His journey as a coach took him through Morocco and eventually to South Africa, where he was named Coach of the Season in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after guiding Orlando Pirates to three trophies. According to Ouaddou, his initial application for the Professional Coaching License (BEPF) in France was rejected because he had been coaching abroad at the time. “The first time, I was ‘only’ a coach at a youth center,” he explained, noting that the National Technical Directorate favored individuals already working in professional football. After gaining experience as a coach with Mouloudia Oujda, he resubmitted his application, only to face the same rejection. “They told me I had a great profile, but that I was coaching overseas, which was a problem. It's like the snake biting its tail.” Ouaddou further claimed that the FFF initially denied him permission to pursue his training in Germany. “I asked for explanations via email and never got a response,” he said. “In reality, they prevented me from working. It’s incomprehensible.” Eventually, he managed to secure the necessary documents after appealing directly to Hubert Fournier, the director of the National Technical Directorate. His comments come amid growing concerns within French football about the lack of support for emerging coaches. Ouaddou argues that the FFF must adopt more flexible policies to allow coaches to gain experience internationally while still being recognized domestically. “When the FFF realizes that we need to give more opportunities to professional coaches and educators, we will have made progress in the country,” he stated. Ouaddou’s critique highlights broader issues facing French football, particularly regarding the development of coaching talent. While he acknowledges the challenges of transitioning from player to coach, he believes the current system is too rigid and fails to recognize the value of international experience. His success in South Africa underscores the potential for growth outside traditional European structures. Despite these criticisms, Ouaddou remains focused on his current role with Orlando Pirates. The team’s achievements under his leadership have solidified his reputation as one of the top coaches in South African football. However, his comments reflect a deeper frustration with the institutional barriers faced by coaches trying to build careers in France. Ouaddou’s experiences suggest that systemic changes may be needed to better integrate international coaching experience into the domestic framework. His call for greater flexibility resonates with many in the football community who believe that the FFF should adapt to modern realities rather than adhere strictly to outdated practices. As he continues to make an impact in South Africa, his words serve as both a personal reflection and a challenge to the French football establishment.