Paulo Sergio says the chance to compete for major honours at Wydad was the decisive factor in accepting the Moroccan club’s offer, despite receiving financially more attractive proposals from teams in the Middle East.
The Portuguese coach, who has recently been appointed Wydad’s new manager, said the opportunity to challenge for trophies was something he had been missing during his latest coaching positions. His comments were reported by Moroccan website Le Site Info Sport.
“At Wydad I have a real opportunity to compete for titles, something I have not had the chance to do in recent years, so this factor had a great influence on my decision,” Paulo Sergio said.
The manager explained that he had been in talks with several Middle Eastern clubs and that their financial packages were superior to the offer made by Wydad. However, he placed greater importance on the sporting project presented by the Moroccan side.
“I was negotiating with a number of clubs in the Middle East, and their financial offers were higher, but I preferred Wydad,” he said.
“For me, the club’s sporting project is very attractive, and that was one of the main reasons that led me to choose it.”
Paulo Sergio also pointed to the changes at Wydad following a disappointing campaign last season. The club finished fifth in the league, but the coach said a new administration and a clear plan had increased his confidence in the direction of the project.
“Last season Wydad finished the league in fifth place, but the administration has changed. There is a new team working with a clear vision and seeking to do everything as well as possible,” he said.
The Portuguese manager said work had already begun as Wydad prepare for a fresh start. His central ambition is to restore the club to its established position among the leading teams in African football.
“We started working on Monday, and we have the ambition to compete for titles and win trophies, which is what befits one of the strongest and most famous clubs in Africa,” Paulo Sergio said.
“I believe the new administration will give us the opportunity to rebuild the team and put it on the right path.”
Paulo Sergio’s decision means Wydad’s sporting plans prevailed over the greater financial value offered by clubs in the Middle East. The coach has made clear that the prospect of competing for honours, together with the club’s new direction, was more important to him than the size of the contract.
His immediate task is to help Wydad recover from their fifth-place finish and begin the rebuilding process under the newly changed administration. The club’s stated objective is to return to contention for titles and re-establish its status as one of Africa’s most prominent sides.
