Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) has officially appointed Portuguese manager Paulo Sergio as head coach of the club’s first team ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The Casablanca-based club confirmed on Sunday that it had signed a contract with the 58-year-old tactician, marking the first major sporting decision by newly elected club president Ibrahim El Asri.
The appointment comes after a difficult 2025–26 campaign for Wydad, who finished fifth in the Botola Pro and were eliminated in the CAF Confederation Cup quarterfinals, falling short of expectations.
By appointing Paulo Sergio, the club’s new leadership has signaled its intention to usher in a new era and restore Wydad to domestic and continental contention. Sérgio arrives in Morocco with extensive coaching experience across Europe and the Middle East.
During his managerial career, he has led clubs in Portugal, Scotland, Romania, Cyprus, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and most recently Saudi Arabia, where he spent the past two seasons.
His move to Wydad will also mark the first time he coaches in African football. Known for his tactical discipline and experience managing in multiple leagues, Sérgio now faces the challenge of rebuilding a squad capable of competing for major honors after an underwhelming season.
Wydad will head into the new campaign with ambitions of returning to the top of the Botola standings while assembling a team capable of challenging for silverware both domestically and on the continental stage.
