Morocco's coach Walid Regragui applauds supporters as he celebrates winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between Morocco and Portugal at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on December 10, 2022. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

World Cup semi-final manager spotted in Arteta tactics seminar

Dec 14, 2022

Mikel Arteta has praised Morocco manager Walid Regragui after pictures emerged of the World Cup coach attending one of Arteta’s tactics seminars.

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the UEFA Europa League Group A football match between Arsenal and Bodoe/Glimt at The Arsenal Stadium in London, on October 6, 2022. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images) — Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the UEFA Europa League Group A football match between Arsenal and Bodoe/Glimt at The Arsenal Stadium in London, on October 6, 2022. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Earlier this week, old screenshots emerged of Morocco boss Walid Regragui attending a tactics seminar by Mikel Arteta.

The Arsenal boss was talking to a number of viewers about his approach to the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City. Regragui (who was then manager of Wydad AC) could be seen among them.

This is Morocco manager Walid Regragui, attending a tactics seminar by Mikel Arteta, who displayed his ideas in the FA Cup final vs Man City.

This is a person with a willingness to learn & progress. Just 1 year on, he finds himself in the World Cup semi-final. He worked so hard. pic.twitter.com/ez4QxfnfR6

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 13, 2022

Since then, Regragui has led Wydad AC to an African Champions League title, before being appointed as head coach of the Moroccan national team for the World Cup.

Regragui has led his country to great success at the tournament so far.

Morocco went unbeaten in the group stage, drawing with World Cup semi-finalists Croatia before beating Belgium and Canada to progress to the knockouts.

Regragui’s side then defeated Spain on penalties and Portugal in normal time to reach the World Cup semi-final, where they’ll play France on Wednesday night.

Reflecting on Regragui’s success, Arteta was full of praise on Tuesday.

“The impact he’s having, he’s a total credit to them,” Arteta said. “What he is doing is amazing, and what he is transmitting is great, and it’s a really positive thing for world football to have an African team at that stage.

“They’re one of four very select teams in this World Cup.”

DOHA, QATAR: Walid Regragui, Head Coach of Morocco, speaks during the Morocco Press Conference at the Main Media Center on December 13, 2022. (Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images)

Whether Morocco can go on to make history again by reaching and perhaps even winning the World Cup final remains to be seen, but their manager has already led the side beyond their wildest dreams.

That’s clearly thanks to a lot of hard work behind the scenes.