Emerse Fae leaves Ivory Coast after contract expires

Emerse Fae has officially stepped down as Ivory Coast head coach after his contract expired on July 31, with the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) confirming that no agreement was reached over a renewal.

In an official statement released on Friday, the federation announced that Fae’s deal had come to an end and would not be extended, bringing his tenure with the national team to a close.

Fae enjoyed a remarkable spell in charge of the Elephants, most notably guiding the side to the Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil in 2024. He was thrust into the role midway through the tournament after Jean-Louis Gasset was dismissed during the group stage, initially serving as interim coach before earning the position on a permanent basis.

His biggest achievement came when Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the final to secure their third continental crown, completing one of the most memorable campaigns in the country’s football history.

The 41-year-old also led Ivory Coast to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Elephants progressed to the knockout rounds for the first time before their journey ended with a last-32 defeat to Norway.

In its farewell message, the FIF thanked Fae for his dedication and praised the impact he made during his time in charge, describing the team’s achievements under his leadership as an important chapter in the recent history of Ivorian football.

The federation added that an announcement regarding the appointment of a new Ivory Coast head coach will be made in due course.