The federation announced Goutta’s appointment as part of its strategy to develop rugby union in Morocco and prepare the national team for upcoming Arab, African and international competitions.
Born in Perpignan on Sept. 28, 1972, Goutta spent most of his playing career with USA Perpignan, where he played as a back-row forward. The federation says he holds the club’s record for appearances, with 298 matches, and captained the side 112 times. He also represented the French national team.
After ending his playing career, Goutta moved into coaching with Perpignan, where he worked from 2007 to 2012. He then joined Colomiers Rugby, remaining there from 2012 to 2017.
From 2017 to 2021, Goutta was in charge of the forwards at ASM Clermont Auvergne, working alongside Franck Azéma. He subsequently coached SU Agen in 2022 and 2023 before taking charge of US Carcassonne in 2024.
Read also : Morocco unveils 120-athlete squad for 2026 Mediterranean Games
With Carcassonne, Goutta led the club to the 2025 French Nationale championship. He ended his collaboration with the club in May 2026.
The FRMR said Goutta’s appointment also draws on his knowledge of Moroccan rugby. The federation noted that he had followed the Atlas Lions closely, particularly during training camps and preparatory matches held in France.
His responsibilities will include leading the national team and developing players at the technical, physical and mental levels ahead of upcoming African competitions. The federation also identified qualification for the Rugby World Cup as one of the objectives of his new role.
The appointment comes as Morocco seeks to strengthen its national rugby program and compete for a place on the international stage under Goutta’s leadership.
Morocco has a long history in African rugby but has never qualified for the Rugby World Cup. The Atlas Lions have, however, won the African championship twice, in 2003 and 2005, and finished runners-up in 2000, 2001 and 2004. The national team returned to the Rugby Africa Cup in 2025 after a four-year absence, with the tournament also serving as part of the qualification process for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The FRMR will officially present the new national-team coach at a press conference on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 5 p.m. at the Rihab Hotel in Rabat.
