The fairy-tale partnership between Emerse Faé and the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has officially come to an end. The 42-year-old manager’s contract expired on July 31, 2026, and both parties have decided not to extend their agreement, concluding a remarkable and historic era for the Elephants.
Emerse Faé’s tenure in charge of the Côte d’Ivoire national team will be remembered as one of the most astonishing turnarounds in international football history.
Taking over midway through the tournament following the departure of Jean-Louis Gasset, Faé stepped up from interim duty to steer the host nation through the knockout rounds, culminating in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final to claim Ivory Coast’s third continental crown . Faé guided the team through qualification and into the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, achieving a historic knockout appearance before being eliminated by Norway.
Across 36 matches at the helm, Faé accumulated 25 wins, 4 draws, and only 7 losses, establishing a dominant winning culture.
With Faé’s departure officially confirmed, FIF President Yacine Idriss Diallo announced that the search for a new head coach and refreshed technical staff is underway.
