The Ivorian Football Federation has confirmed that Emerse Faé will leave his role as head coach when his contract expires on July 31, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable two-and-a-half-year spell that transformed Ivory Coast into African champions and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Faé departs after overseeing one of the most memorable periods in the history of the Elephants. The former Ivory Coast international guided the team to their third Africa Cup of Nations title in 2024 before securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and leading the country to the knockout stage of the global tournament for the first time.
In a statement, the Ivorian Football Federation praised the outgoing coach for his contribution to the national team.
“The Executive Committee of the Ivorian Football Federation expresses its profound gratitude to Mr. Emerse Faé for his commitment, professionalism, and the services he rendered as head of the senior national team throughout his collaboration with the Federation,” the statement read.
“It commends his contribution to the development of the national team and the results achieved under his leadership, which will remain an important part of the recent history of Ivorian football.
“The Executive Committee extends its sincerest wishes to Mr. Emerse Faé for every success in the continuation of his professional career.”
Faé’s departure ends one of the most extraordinary coaching stories in African football. Without previous senior managerial experience, the former midfielder stepped into the role on an interim basis during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after Jean-Louis Gasset was dismissed following Ivory Coast’s humiliating 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea on home soil.
At that stage, the Elephants appeared destined for an early exit. However, a combination of results elsewhere allowed them to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams.
From there, Faé masterminded an unforgettable title run. Ivory Coast eliminated defending champions Senegal in a dramatic penalty shootout in the Round of 16 before producing a stunning comeback to beat Mali after extra time in the quarter-finals. They then defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo in the semi-finals to book a place in the final.
The fairytale reached its climax at the Stade d’Ebimpé in Abidjan, where Ivory Coast came from behind to defeat Nigeria 2-1 and lift their first Africa Cup of Nations trophy since 2015.
Faé carried that momentum into the World Cup qualifying campaign by guiding the Elephants to the expanded 48-team tournament. He then made more history by leading Ivory Coast into the knockout stage for the first time after the team collected six points in the group phase with victories over Ecuador and Curacao before suffering a narrow defeat to Germany.
Ivory Coast’s impressive run eventually ended in the Last 32. Amad Diallo appeared to have forced extra time with a 74th-minute equaliser against Norway after Antonio Nusa’s opener, but Erling Haaland struck in the 86th minute to send the Norwegians through and end the Elephants’ campaign.
The federation also confirmed that the search for Faé’s successor is now underway.
“The Ivorian Football Federation will, in due course, announce its decisions regarding the appointment of the new Head Coach of the senior national team,” the statement concluded, “as well as the composition of the new technical staff.”
Ivory Coast will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in September after being drawn alongside Ghana, Gambia and Somalia.
Faé’s departure continues a growing trend among African nations following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa and Ivory Coast have all parted ways with the coaches who led them to the tournament, while Senegal also announced the exit of AFCON-winning coach Pape Thiaw after their Last 32 defeat to Belgium.
