Morocco axe Michel

Local newspapers said the coach had angered top officials by blaming the lack of a government strategy to develop football, as well as bad discipline and behaviour among his players.

Michel took over in October after M’Hamed Fakhir was dismissed.

The much-travelled Michel, who was in charge of Ivory Coast at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, had a previous spell as Morocco coach when he steered them to the 1998 World Cup in France.