Moghreb Tétouan

In 1917, Tetouan saw the appearance of its first clubs of football, "Sporting of Tetuán" and "el Hispano-Marroquí" ("The Spanish-Moroccan"). One year later these two club, and a third one called "el Radio", merged and that gave the birth to the "Athletic Club Tetuán". The new club was established in 1922 by Basque Atlético Madrid fans who lived in Tetouan (Morocco). In the early days it was known as Athletic Club Tetuan—based on the Spanish spelling of the city. but after the Spanish Civil War and according to General Franco's demands (banning non-Spanish names) as Club Atlético Tetuan. That is why the team has always played in red and white stripes and blue shorts, just like the big brothers from Madrid they were supposed to emulate. Under Spanish Protectorate of Northern Morocco, Tetuán were a part of Spanish Liga for 33 years until independence was achieved in 1956. The highlight of that era was their surprising win of Spanish Segunda División (the southern group) in the 1950–51 season.[1] and promotion to the Primera Division of 1951–52, and the club remain, to this very day, the only African team ever to play in a top division in Europe.

That was a season to remember. Tetuán's away form was dreadful—they lost 14 out of 15 games on their travels—but on home soil in Morocco they were a force to be reckoned with. Atlético were thrashed 4–1 in a rather weird "derby," and six more wins were achieved, while the mighty Real Madrid could only draw 3–3 on their visit to North Africa. Sadly that wasn't enough as Tetuán finished bottom of the table and were relegated, but such heritage has never been forgotten.

Following independence, the club split in two. While AD Ceuta FC, still under Spanish control, were the club's official Spanish successors, the Moroccan-based Moghreb Atlético Tetuán (Moghreb meaning Morocco, to signify independence from Spain) inherited the colours and the stadium and made the crest as close as possible to that of Atlético Madrid. Indeed, their fans have always supported Los Colchoneros—something of a rarity in a country that is mostly divided between Real and Barcelona.

Atlético Madrid's trophies were the main source of joy for Tetouan supporters throughout the years—their own team is rather small even by local Moroccan standards, having spent long spells in the second division—while their relationship was cemented in 2007 as some of Atlético Madrid's upper management visited Morocco to start an affiliation and establish a football school that would benefit both parties.

Tetouan really began to move up the footballing pyramid in July 2011, though, when little known coach Aziz El Amri was appointed. His mission was to save the team from relegation, but he took them to their first ever championship title in 2012—a feat even more remarkable when you take into account that some of the senior players went on strike over unpaid wages, and Tetouan were forced to use inexperienced home grown youngsters instead. On the final day, they needed just a draw at FUS Rabat and won 1–0 to seal the trophy. Around 30,000 fans travelled with the team—the largest away crowd in Moroccan football history—and the celebrations were something to behold, that was the beginning of a new era in Moroccan football, the first ever Professional season of the Moroccan league and the birth of a new force in Moroccan football.

In context, 2012–13 was relatively mediocre as the team lost some of its key players who left the club as they only managed to finish 5th. But in the following season Tetouan were back in the title race again, knowing that success would be especially important with a place in the 2014 Club World Cup at stake for the winners. By the end of May, a phenomenal prospect was on cards: Atlético Madrid had qualified for the Champions League final, while Tetouan were in pole position to win the Moroccan league. It was not to be. First, Moghreb Tetouan were thrashed 5–0 by Raja Casablanca in the big game on the penultimate day of the season, seemingly losing the crown. Then, on 24 May, Atlético Madrid went agonisingly close to lifting the trophy, only for Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid to equalize in the dying seconds and for city rivals to run away with the game in extra time. Tetouan fans were distraught, but just a few hours later, on 25 May, they celebrated wildly as Raja Casablanca sensationally lost to Olympic Safi on the final day, gifting the championship title to Tetouan.

The dream of facing Atlético Madrid was dead, but hopes of meeting "the other team from Madrid" were very much alive. In 2001, a friendly game had been scheduled between Moghreb Tetouan and Real Madrid to mark the 60th anniversary of that famous 3–3 draw in the Primera Division, only for the plans to be cancelled by Los Blancos due to some logistical problems, then again in 2012 but everything got cancelled again.

Moghreb Tetouan's reward for winning the 2013–2014 season of the Moroccan championship, Botola was a place in the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco, their debut in the competition.

Their debut ended in disappointment after getting eliminated on the preliminary round as they went down on penalties to Auckland City, the side that has made more appearances in the competition than any other.

Due to Moghreb Tétouan's continuous poor performances in the Moroccan league (earning just two points from the last five fixtures before the Club World Cup) and against Auckland City FC, due mostly to poor decisions and bad strategies made by the manager, El Amri was sacked.

On December 24, 2014 Sergio Lobera was appointed as the new Moghreb Atletico Tetouan head coach[2] and successor of El Amri, joined by 2 Spaniards in the club's technical team Juanma Cruz as the goalkeeper coach and Manuel Sayabera as the Physical trainer and later joined by David Martin as the inferior categories' coach, it didn't take long for the players to adapt to Lobera's philosophy, displaying unprecedented maturity and self-confidence, the team was back on track and started winning again, thanks to Lobera's brilliant strategies and his emphasis on teamwork, the team managed to pull off a historic African Champions League campaign after getting through the preliminary round for the first time (the team failed to do so under El Amri) after defeating Club Olympique de Bamako, (3–2), Kano Pillars in the first round (5–2) and then Al Ahly (1(4) – 1(3)) in the second round therefore making it to the Groups Stage for the first ever for the club (and since 10 years for a Moroccan club)

In the Groups Stage Tetouan had a terrible start, in their first away game in Egypt against Smouha SC they had a 2 goals lead but conceded 3 goals in the last half-hour of the game therefore losing 3 – 2, the second game was a goalless tie against TP Mazembe at home soil, the third game ended with a 1 – 1 tie with Al-Hilal at home again however Tetouan managed to win an away game for the first time in Sudan, beating Al-Hilal in their home ground, It was the first time since the Sudani club loses in their home ground since 2011, (the score was 1 – 0) thus moving up from the last position to the 3rd, then to the 1st after beating Smouha SC 2 – 1 at home soil.

• IR Tanger, the club of the neighbouring city, Tangiers, is considered the club's biggest rival, their encounter, referred to as the northern derby is one of the most anticipated matches of the Moroccan league, due to its value and great importance among supporters.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

• Carlos Iturraspe (1953)
• Baltasar Albéniz (1953–1954)
• Antonio Barrios (1954–1955)

• Mohamed Fakhir (2007)
• Abderrahim Taleb (2007–2009)
• Mohamed Fakhir (Jan 2010 – May 2010)
• Jean-François Jodar (May 2010 – Dec 2010)
• Aziz El Amri (July 2011 – Dec 2014)
• Sergio Lobera (Dec 2014 – May 2017)
• Abdelhak Benchikha (June 2017 – Feb 2018)
• Abd El Ouahid Benhssaine (Mar 2018 – 2019 )
• Ángel Viadero (2019 – present)