Ivory Coast have named Emerse Fae as their permanent coach, following his successful stint as interim coach during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Fae, a former Ivorian international, took over as interim coach after the team dismissed veteran French coach Jean-Louis Gasset during the tournament.
At the time of Fae’s appointment, Ivory Coast were on the brink of elimination, but a fortunate sequence of events, including Morocco’s victory over Zambia, allowed the Elephants to progress to the knockout stages.
Fae seized the opportunity and proved himself, leading the team to a remarkable run in the tournament.
Under Fae’s guidance, the Elephants overcome deficits in several matches, including a thrilling comeback win against Senegal in the round of 16, a 10-man victory over Mali in the quarter-finals, and a 1-0 semi-final win over DR Congo.
The team’s impressive performances culminated in a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final, securing Ivory Coast’s first Africa Cup of Nations title since 2015.
Fae’s success as interim coach led to his confirmation as the permanent coach on Monday, with Idriss Diallo, the Ivoirian federation boss, announcing, “Emerse was until now interim coach and has just been confirmed today as a full coach.”
As a permanent coach, Fae’s primary objectives will be to secure qualification for the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco and attempt to defend the title.
Additionally, he will aim to guide the team to qualification for the 2026 World Cup, after the Elephants missed out on participation in the previous two tournaments.
With Fae at the helm, the future looks promising for the Ivory Coast. His tactical acumen, leadership skills, and ability to motivate his players have earned him praise from fans and pundits alike.