AFCON Hero Departs
Emerse Faé Departs as Ivory Coast Coach After Leading Them to AFCON Glory and World Cup Qualification
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Key Points
1
Faé first stepped in as interim head coach in early 2023/24 after Jean-Louis Gasset was dismissed following a 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, before being appointed permanently in 2024.
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He led Ivory Coast to Africa Cup of Nations glory on home soil, with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final.
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Faé oversaw the team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the Elephants’ first World Cup berth since 2014.
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During his tenure, Ivory Coast reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
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Faé’s contract expired on July 31, 2026 and was not renewed, with the federation already beginning the search for a successor.
Ivory Coast has parted ways with head coach Emerse Faé after his contract expired on July 31, 2026, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) confirmed. The federation thanked him for his "professionalism and contributions" but will not renew his deal, according to Africa Top Sports.
Faé, 42, leaves as one of the most successful coaches in Ivorian football history. He led the Elephants to an Africa Cup of Nations title, a first World Cup berth since 2014, and posted 25 wins from 36 matches in charge. The FIF says a search for his successor is already underway.
From Emergency Hire to AFCON Champion in One Year
Faé's rise was rapid. He first stepped in as interim coach in early 2024, after Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked following a shocking 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations group stage. Ivory Coast looked out of the tournament. Instead, they won it.
Faé guided the Elephants all the way to the final, where they beat Nigeria 2-1 on home soil to lift the AFCON title. The result was historic. Ivory Coast were hosting the tournament and had nearly been eliminated before the knockout rounds. The FIF appointed him permanently soon after, according to Free Malaysia Today.
World Cup Qualification Ends a 12-Year Wait
One of Faé's biggest achievements came off the pitch of the tournament. He led Ivory Coast through World Cup qualifying, securing a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It was the Elephants' first qualification since 2014 — a 12-year wait finally over, according to Africa Top Sports.
The 2026 World Cup appearance now forms the bookend of his tenure. His contract was set to run through July 31, 2026, the same month as the tournament. The FIF has not detailed what, if any, role the World Cup result played in the decision not to renew, according to YScores.
36 Matches, 25 Wins, and a Quarter-Final Exit in 2025
The FIF released Faé's full record on departure: 36 matches, 25 wins, 4 draws, and 7 defeats. That is a win rate above 69%. The numbers make him one of the most effective Ivory Coast coaches in recent memory, according to Sporting Tribune.
Not everything ended in glory, though. At the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast reached the quarter-finals before going out. That exit likely shaped the federation's thinking on a fresh start, according to YScores.
FIF Begins Search for Next Elephants Head Coach
The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed it is already looking for Faé's replacement. The FIF said it will announce the new head coach and full staff structure "in due course," according to Free Malaysia Today. No names have been made public yet.
Faé himself is expected to draw strong interest from clubs and national teams. At just 42, with an AFCON title and World Cup qualification on his résumé, his next move will be closely watched across African and European football, according to Africa Top Sports.
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