Walid Regragui has emerged as a candidate to take charge of Ecuador, with the former Morocco head coach understood to be open to his first managerial role in South American football.
Reports relayed by Africa Soccer from Ecuadorian media say the Ecuadorian Football Federation is assessing Regragui as one of several options to succeed Sebastian Beccacece as coach of the senior national side.
Ecuador reached the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup before being knocked out by Mexico, and the federation is now seeking a new coach to lead the next phase of the team’s development.
Regragui open to talks
According to the same reports, figures close to Regragui have informed relevant parties that he would be willing to take on the Ecuador job, provided negotiations between the two sides progress in a way that satisfies his conditions.
The 48-year-old, who left his post with Morocco earlier this year, is said to view a move to Ecuador as a suitable gateway into the South American game, where he has not yet coached.
Strong competition for the role
Regragui is not the only high-profile name being studied by the Ecuadorian federation.
Portuguese coach Paulo Bento is also on the shortlist, alongside Argentines Marcelo Gallardo and Eduardo Dominguez.
Two Spanish managers, Miguel Angel Ramirez and Robert Moreno, are likewise under consideration as part of a multi-national pool of candidates.
The federation’s objective is to make an appointment before the second week of next month, in order to give the new coach sufficient preparation time for the international windows scheduled in September, October and November.
No formal agreement has been reported with any of the candidates, and the final decision will rest with the Ecuadorian Football Federation’s leadership once they complete their evaluation of the shortlist.
