The former AC Milan, Monaco and PSG forward's main mission is to lead the side back to the top flight in Morocco.

Mohammedia, one of the oldest sides in Morocco, were crowned champions of the third division last season to earn promotion to league two.

"We think that his experience as a player and coach will help our club," club's president Hicham Aït Menna said.

He will be assisted by former club coach Rachid Rouki.

It will not be Simone's first experience of working on the continent having had a short stint in 2017 at Tunisia's Club Africain.

Simone began his coaching career in 2011 and has had stints with French sides Monaco, Tours and Stade Laval as well as in Switzerland with FC Lausanne-Sport.

However his arrival in Morocco has divided opinion some think that it could make the Mohammedia a serious candidate for a return to he top in while others see it as more of a publicity stunt.

Last year there were reports that Brazilian former world footballer of the year Rivaldo had joined the club's coaching staff which he later denied.

The 1980 Moroccan champions last played in the top-flight in 2009.

The club is based just outside from Casablanca and was founded in 1948 making it one the country's oldest clubs.

The club is owned by Menna, whose real estate business has made him one of the wealthiest men in the area and he is determined to return the club to some of its former glory.

The team's most famous player is Ahmed Faras, who is the Moroccan national team's all-time leading scorer with 42 goals and the 1975 African footballer of the year.