French coach Bernard Goutta has been appointed as the new head coach of the Moroccan men’s national rugby union team, the Royal Moroccan Rugby Federation (FRMR) announced.
The appointment of Bernard Goutta, an iconic figure in the French coaching world, is part of the Federation’s strategy to develop rugby union and prepare the national XV for upcoming Arab, African, and international fixtures, the federal body indicated in a press release on Sunday.
Drawing on his vast experience in modern rugby union and his knowledge of Moroccan rugby, which he has followed closely, particularly during the Atlas Lions’ training camps and warm-up matches in France, Bernard Goutta’s mission will be to lead the national team.
He aims to improve the players technically, physically, and mentally for upcoming African competitions, and contribute to Morocco’s qualification for the Rugby World Cup, the same source added.
Bernard Goutta spent the majority of his playing career at USA Perpignan as a back-row forward. He holds the record for club appearances with 298 matches, having also worn the captain’s armband 112 times. He also defended the colors of the French national team.
After a rich career on the pitch, he turned to coaching, starting on the bench at Perpignan (2007-2012) before joining Colomiers Rugby (2012-2017). Between 2017 and 2021, he took charge of the forwards at ASM Clermont Auvergne alongside Franck Azéma, then coached SU Agen in 2022 and 2023.
From 2024, he took the reins at US Carcassonne, a club he led to the French Nationale championship title in 2025, before ending his collaboration this past May.
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