Morocco, knocked out in the first round of the African Nations Cup, have sacked French coach Henri Michel.

"Henri Michel was sacked for several reasons including the bad performance of the team in the Nations Cup," said Mohamed Ozal, deputy chairman of the country's FA.

Ozal said Jamel Fethi would replace Michel in a caretaker role until a full-time coach was hired.

Michel was recruited in the hope he could lead Morocco to the later stages of the Nations Cup in Ghana.

Local newspapers said the coach had angered top officials by blaming the lack of a government strategy to develop soccer, 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.

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Reuters