Issame Charaï (born 11 May 1982) is a Belgian-Moroccan football coach and former player who is the head coach of Belgian club Westerlo.
Coaching career Al-Faisaly After his playing career ended in 2012, he immediately became an assistant coach at Al-Faisaly under newly appointed Belgian manager Marc Brys who Charaï previously had worked together with at Berchem Sport. The duo left Saudi Arabia at the end of 2013.
Beerschot In July 2016, Charaï once again became Brys' assistant coach, this time at Beerschot.OFFICIEEL: KFCO Beerschot-Wilrijk haalt ex-publiekslieveling terug, voetbalnieuws.be, 11 July 2016 After two seasons, they left the club.
Sint-Truidense At the end of May 2018, Brys was announced manager of Sint-Truidense and took Charaï with him again as his assistant.MARC BRYS PRESENTED AS STVV'S HEAD COACH, stvv.com, 21 May 2018 On 26 November 2019, Brys and his staff, including Charaï, was fired.OFFICIEEL: MARC BRYS ONTSLAGEN BIJ STVV, voetbalbelgie.be, 26 November 2019
OH Leuven In the summer of 2020, Charaï joined OH Leuven, once again as an assistant to Marc Brys.
Morocco Under-23's
On 8 July 2023, Charaï led Morocco's under-23 national team to U-23 Africa Cup of Nations success by beating Egypt in the final. Due to his AFCON success the U23's qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Rangers Charaï was an assistant manager at Scottish club Rangers under Philippe Clement, and remained at the club following Clement's departure in February 2025.
On 13 June 2025, it was announced that Charaï had "mutually agreed" to leave Rangers.
Westerlo On 17 June 2025, Charaï was hired as a head coach by Belgian Pro League club Westerlo.
Personal life Born in Belgium, Charaï is of Moroccan descent and holds dual Belgian-Moroccan citizenship.
Honours Morocco U23 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations: 2023
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