Badou Zaki has quit as coach of the Morocco national team by mutual consent, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced Wednesday.

"After 20 months of instability and inconsistent results, the federation have agreed with Zaki to end his contract by mutual consent," the federation said in a statement, adding that a new coach would be appointed in the coming days.

Former international goalkeeper Zaki, 56, took over as Morocco manager for the second time in May 2014, but the team has struggled recently and was knocked out of the African Nations Championship at the group stage.

Zaki first managed the side for three years from 2002, losing the Africa Cup of Nations final to Tunisia in 2004.

Herve Renard, who was sacked by French club Lille earlier this season, is rumoured to be lined up to take over.

French sports daily L'Equipe reported that sources close to the FRMF said last month that Renard was "a priority to take over the Atlas Lions".

Frenchman Renard, 47, has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice as a manager, first with Zambia in 2012, and then with the Ivory Coast last year.