The fate of the Ivorian national team takes an unexpected turn in the midst of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as Jean-Louis Gasset, the coach of the Elephants, is relieved of his duties, ending his mission before the conclusion of the tournament.
According to exclusive information from journalist Malick Traoré, confirmed by sources from Le Parisien and Jeune Afrique, Jean-Louis Gasset is no longer the coach of Ivory Coast as of this Wednesday.
Jean-Louis Gasset Sacked Mid-Tournament
The exact circumstances surrounding his departure remain unclear, with conflicting sources suggesting either Gasset’s resignation or a decision by the President of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), Yacine Idriss Diallo, to terminate his mission.
This decision comes as the national team is still in contention for a possible qualification for the AFCON’s round of sixteen. The French coach, who has faced criticism since the start of the tournament, will not lead the Elephants in this crucial phase.
Unless there is a surprise, the current assistant coach of the Ivorian team, Emerse Faé, is expected to take over temporarily. Faé, a former midfielder with experience at clubs such as Nantes and Nice, will assume the reins of Ivory Coast in the middle of the tournament, with a potential round of sixteen clash against Senegal on the horizon.
This abrupt decision raises questions about the immediate future of the Elephants in the competition, while also opening a new chapter in Ivorian football history. The transition to new leadership within the national team appears to be crucial as supporters eagerly await the team’s response on the field.
Jean-Louis Gasset: A Nightmare
The reaction of the French coach to the defeat against Equatorial Guinea already indicated that he was struggling. “In life, there are nightmare matches. We concede a goal a minute before halftime from the opponent’s only chance. We had control of the game, opportunities, chances, and we go in 0-1 at halftime. Already, it’s a bit tough,” he said in a press conference after the match. “In the second half, it’s the same scenario, we dominate, chances come, goals are scored and disallowed. We call that the catastrophe scenario,” he added.
His stance no longer reassured the nation. The protest against the now former coach of the Elephants reached its peak as a petition demanding his immediate resignation had already garnered massive support, far exceeding initial expectations. Launched on Monday evening, the petition has gathered over 21,900 signatures in record time, indicating growing frustration among fervent supporters of Ivorian football. They openly blame Jean-Louis Gasset for the national team’s challenging situation, stating that the French coach failed to bring joy to the Ivorian population already burdened by economic difficulties.
Indignation heightened following disappointing performances by the Elephants, leaving them on the brink of elimination in the race for qualification to the AFCON round of sixteen. Supporters argue that the current level of play does not reflect the team’s potential, fueling anger and a call for radical change.
However, the petition goes beyond Jean-Louis Gasset’s resignation. Signatories also demand the departure of the President of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), Idriss Diallo. They accuse the FIF, under Diallo’s leadership, of failing in its mission to manage and develop Ivorian football.
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