Emerse Fae departs as Ivory Coast coach after contract expires
Emerse Fae is no longer the head coach of the Ivory Coast national team after his contract expired and was not renewed by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF). The 42-year-old, who took over as interim coach in January 2024, led the Elephants to a historic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024 victory before qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Despite these achievements, the FIF decided not to extend his contract.
What did Emerse Fae achieve?
Fae took charge of the team in January 2024, initially as interim coach, before being confirmed in May of the same year. Under his leadership, Ivory Coast won the 2024 AFCON, defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the final. The team also reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 AFCON and qualified for the 2026 World Cup, finishing top of Group C with 20 points. Currently, Ivory Coast is second in the World Cup standings with 6 points, after 2 wins, 0 draws, and 1 loss in 3 games, with their last result being a 1-2 defeat to Norway on June 30, 2026.
Why the departure?
Despite his successes, the FIF chose not to renew Fae's contract. The exact reasons have not been disclosed, but it is likely that the federation wants to explore new options for the team's future. Fae, a former midfielder, is now free to seek new challenges, and his recent experience with the Elephants could attract interest from clubs and other national teams.
What's next for Ivory Coast?
The FIF will now begin the search for a new coach. Ivory Coast's next competitive match is scheduled for September, where they will face Ghana in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. The team will need to prepare for this match without their former coach while aiming to maintain their recent momentum and performance.
