Raja Casablanca coach M'hamed Fakhir stepped down just two weeks ahead of the Club World Cup in Morocco.

"A number of factors have allowed us to come to the conclusion that Raja could not stand up to the upcoming challenges with Fakhir in charge, a club spokesman said Friday.

Raja has won 11 league titles and three African Champions League crowns.Hilal Tair, already a member of the staff, would take charge on an interim basis while the club search for a permanent successor.

The decision to part company with Fakhir comes after a 1-0 defeat to El Jadida on Thursday, a result which left Raja in fifth place in the Moroccan top flight, albeit just three points behind leaders Moghreb Tetouan.