Raja Casablanca sacks Jémez after 0-2 loss to Berkane
Raja Casablanca sacked coach Paco Jémez after less than two months, a day after a 0-2 home defeat to Berkane.
Raja Club Athletic terminated the contract of its Spanish head coach Paco Jémez on Monday, after less than two months in charge of the Casablanca side's first team. The decision came a day after the "Greens" lost 0-2 at home to Renaissance Sportive de Berkane in matchday 6 of the Botola Pro, played at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. Youssef Mehria (29') and Yassine Labhiria, from the penalty spot (85'), scored for the visitors.
In an official statement, the club said the decision followed "a comprehensive assessment of the team's sporting situation, results and quality of play," adding that a "new dynamic" was needed. Jémez, 56, had been appointed in late August to replace Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi and was formally presented to the press on September 2.
A modest record in two months
In the Botola Pro, the Spanish coach won just one of five matches, drawing three and losing one. In the CAF Confederation Cup, he recorded one win and one draw in two matches, without a single defeat on the continental stage. Raja currently sit 13th in the Botola Pro table with only 6 points from five matchdays.
| Competition | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botola Pro | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| CAF Confederation Cup | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
What happens next?
Jémez's dismissal is Raja's second coaching change this season alone, following the earlier departure of Nasreddine Nabi, underlining the pressure surrounding the club this campaign. Raja have not yet named a successor, and the assistant coaching staff are expected to take temporary charge until a decision is made. The club's next major test comes in the CAF Confederation Cup, with the first leg against Egypt's Al Ahly set for 18-20 December, followed by the return leg in Casablanca in early January.