Emerse Fae: AFCON Winning Coach Appointed Permanent Manager of Ivory Coast

• Emerse Fae has been appointed as Ivory Coast's permanent coach
• The 40-year-old served as the interim boss during the 2023 AFCON
• Under Fae, the Elephants went all the way to continental success

Emerse Fae has officially ascended to the position of head coach of Ivory Coast's national team, a promotion well-deserved following his role in leading the Elephants to victory at the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.

Formerly serving as an assistant coach under Jean-Louis Gasset since 2022, Fae's elevation occurred midway through this year's continental championship, marking a turning point in the host nation's tournament fortunes.

Upon assuming the helm after the team's disheartening loss to Equatorial Guinea, the 40-year-old midfielder-turned-coach wasted no time in revitalising a struggling squad, propelling them to their third AFCON triumph.

Fae inherited a team in disarray but masterfully orchestrated a remarkable resurgence in the AFCON, guiding the Elephants from the Round of 16 to clinching the coveted championship.

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Under his stewardship, Ivory Coast overcame reigning champions, Senegal, via penalties, mounted a comeback against Mali, and outmanoeuvred DR Congo to secure a spot in the final.

In a dramatic showdown at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe against Nigeria, Fae's astute tactical adjustments during the second half spurred Ivory Coast to overturn a deficit, with goals from Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller sealing their triumph.

Ivory Coast appoint Fae as permanent coach

Emerse's interim tenure yielded an impeccable record, with the Elephants winning all four matches and tallying six goals along the way.

Recognizing his Hollywood-esque achievement, Fae has been rightfully bestowed with a permanent role.

"Emerse was until now interim coach and has just been confirmed today as full coach," the Ivoirian federation's boss, Idriss Diallo, said as cited by Vanguard.

As reported by Joy Sports, he will now shoulder the responsibility of defending the title at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco and guiding the Elephants back to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2014.

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Ivorians still in celebration mood

Sports Brief also reported that one week following the conclusion of AFCON 2023, home fans are still celebrating Ivory Coast's title win, marking their third continental success.

However, it is worth acknowledging the perilous journey the host nation endured, coming dangerously close to an embarrassing exit in the continental tournament's group stage.