Wales assistant manager Osian Roberts is leaving his role to become technical director of football for Morocco.

The move sees Roberts step down from his role with the Wales football team, and from his position as technical director of the FAW Trust – a role he has held since 2007.

The Welshman has signed a five-year contract which kicks in this September, with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation confirming the news in an official statement on Thursday evening.

www.soka25east.com understands Roberts had began to feel marginalised since Ryan Giggs’ appointment in January 2018, with the Moroccan offer being a big-money offer that’s much bigger than his current deal.

The Anglesey-born coach is credited by many for much of the good work which saw Wales reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France under former manager Chris Coleman.

The fan favourite, who had applied to become Wales manager following Coleman’s departure, has been involved in Wales’ national side’s coaching set-up since 2010 during the late Gary Speed’s tenure.

Roberts will now take up his new role in Morocco – where the men’s national side is ranked 41st in the FIFA world rankings – in September.

The Football Association of Wales said in a statement, released on Thursday night: “The FAW would like to thank Osian for his commitment to Welsh football over the past 12 years and wish him well in his future endeavours.”