Cote d’Ivoire Sack Coach Emerse Faé, Hervé Renard Emerges as Leading Successor

The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has parted ways with head coach Emerse Faé, bringing an end to his tenure just weeks after the 2026 World Cup. Faé’s contract expired on July 31, 2026, and the federation confirmed it would not be renewed. The 42-year-old coach led the Elephants to victory at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil after taking over midway through the tournament. He also guided the team to the round of 32 at the recently concluded World Cup, where they were eliminated by Norway.

Reports indicate that the FIF has already identified potential candidates to replace Faé. Former Côte d’Ivoire and Saudi Arabia coach Hervé Renard is reportedly the leading candidate to take over. Renard previously led the Elephants to AFCON glory in 2015 and is currently available after his interim spell with Tunisia during the World Cup. Other names linked to the position include Walid Regragui, who guided Morocco to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, and former France manager Didier Deschamps. The FIF is expected to announce a new appointment before the 2027 AFCON qualifiers begin, with Côte d’Ivoire set to face Ghana on September 23, 2026.

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