'The Noise Was Too Much' – Rulani Mokwena Reveals What Really Led to His Wydad AC Departure

Rulani Mokwena revealed that his departure from Wydad AC was driven less by financial issues and more by other factors that made his role unbearable.

South African football manager Rulani Mokwena has opened up about the main reason behind his departure from African giants Wydad AC.

Rulani Mokwena’s departure was announced early last month, and a series of football fans and experts speculated that he had issues with the club due to financial woes, but according to him, that was not the case.

He admitted that the club was struggling financially, but insisted that it was not the major reason why he decided to leave the club, insisting that there was more.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

A statement released by Wydad to the public read, "Wydad Athletic Club board confirms that the contractual relationship with coach Rulani Mokwena will be officially terminated immediately after the end of the professional league, in compliance with the terms of the contract between the two parties."

The 38-year-old joined Wydad in July 2024, after leaving South African club Mamelodi Sundowns.

Rulani Mokwena: This is Why I Left Wydad Casablanca

Appearing on the Smash Sports podcast, Rulani Mokwena pointed out that many issues were not ironed out on both ends, eventually leading to his departure.

Mokwena admitted that the salary issue was among them, but it was not the main reason why he was forced to pack his bags.

When he joined the club, he admitted to having some doubts, which he believed would be addressed as time went by, despite feeling like something was missing throughout that period.

“The club was in discussions to sort out the issues that were there, but it wasn't necessarily about that. When you love something, and I love coaching, you don’t focus on things like salary,” Rulani Mokwena said.

“When I arrived at Wydad, I asked the players how did the rival Raja do a double, and yet when I arrived in Morocco, I was told that they underwent the same type of financial problems and administrative issues with their president.”

Rulani Mokwena revealed that he gave his all even during the times when the players seemed to be uninterested in playing due to the financial and leadership struggles.

The former Orlando Pirates interim manager added that he constantly had to prove that he was not interested in the money and had to make the best out of the team.

Rulani Mokwena revealed that he always had to show up even during the worst days, one of the main reasons why he does not feel any guilt.

However, he was never appreciated even during those difficult moments and he admitted that there was always something wrong that would be pointed out.

“I had to be the one who showed, even in moments where the players were disgruntled about payments and things like that, I had to show that I don't decelerate,” he added.

“That's what makes me so calm about everything is I think in a way, I've allowed God just to be God, you know what I mean, because I know that I gave it my best and under very difficult circumstances.

“At the end, I think the noise got a little bit too loud. I did not read messages, and I went off social media, literally didn't have a phone for most of my time in Morocco.”

Rulani Mokwena: The Moroccans Are Very Patriotic

He added that coming from South Africa might have added fuel to the fire since the Moroccans might have wanted a native coach.

Rulani Mokwena revealed that he could not fight back since the language barrier was also a major challenge, and all that came at a time when the club was struggling.

“At the end, maybe the biggest thing was that the noise just got too much, and I think now that I am a little bit more, I can find some form of respect and understanding,” he revealed.

“I think the Moroccans are very patriotic, and their feeling was that we need a Moroccan coach to lead a Moroccan team. If you're going to you know fight back, some sort of launch a resurgence of some sort, you need a native coach.”

Rulani Mokwena revealed that even when Wydad Casablanca went unbeaten, there was always something wrong.

He added that things got worse when it was evident that they lost the cup, and it was evident that they were not going to win the league title.

There were rumours that he was only using Wydad Casablanca to achieve his dreams, which included meeting Pep Guardiola, but he insisted that all those were false accusations.

“I couldn't get all that from anyone else except my players because at that point I was very strong with the group, we had a very strong group, and they were the ones now because they understand Arabic,” he revealed.

“They were also on social media, so they're the ones who also tell me these things. I remember after that, I met the president, and I said, and I said even the vice president, made it worse because he said, ‘Do you love this club?’”

At the moment, Orlando Pirates are believed to have begun talks with coach Rulani Mokwena with the hope that he would return to the club for another stint.