Rulani Mokwena, the new head coach of Wydad Athletic Club, has promised the Moroccan powerhouses that he will deliver.
With Wydad president Hicham Ait Menna and his agent Steven Kapeluschnik by his side, Mokwena signed a three-year contract on Thursday that will keep him at the club until 2027.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach was officially announced as the new Wydad coach in front of over 30 microphones and Moroccan media at the Mohamed Benjelloun Complexe.
“I can tell you that there was one line that convinced me that this was the right project,” Mokwena said during a press conference.
“When Mr Hicham asked if you could give us only 25% of how you played at your previous club, I said: ‘I would give you 26%. I will add an extra percent’.
There is common understanding
“When you work with people who believe in the philosophy and the ideology and the way you view football, it makes it a bit easier because there is a common understanding.
“The language is the same. We want to win in a certain way.
“Immediately after Wydad found out that I had left Sundowns, it only took the president and the board a couple of hours to get in contact with my agent, whom I also want to thank.”
Wydad concluded the Botala Pro League outside of the CAF inter-club competition at number five, coinciding with Mokwena’s appointment.
The 22-time league champions and their ardent supporters have since received a pledge from the 37-year-old that he will put them back where they belong and awaken a sleeping giant.
Wydad know how to win
“I understand how big this challenge is; believe me, I don’t come here with my eyes closed,” said Mokwena.
“The negotiations have taken quite a while because there were quite a few things we had to agree on.
“The one thing I appreciate is that the board is as ambitious as I am and has committed themselves to giving us full support to wake up a sleeping giant.
“I think it’s not to teach Wydad how to win as a football club — I mean, 22 league titles, three Champions League — it’s a team that knows how to win.
“Our [job] is to come here and remind them of what Wydad stands for, and when you speak about love, when I did my history on the club, I found out that Wydad means love and appreciation.
“So, with the same appreciation I once felt from the supporters as an opponent, I’m grateful things have turned, and now I receive the same amount of love and maybe even more as I join this incredible family.
“So, yes, it’s going to be a very difficult task.”
