Ivory Coast boss sacked after humbling AFCON loss despite qualification chance
Jean-Louis Gasset has been sacked by the Ivory Coast with his side still in contention to make the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 2023 edition of the tournament is being hosted in the country, delayed from the northern hemisphere's summer at the nation's request. Gasset has been unable to harness home support to inspire his side however, as they finished behind Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria in group A of the competition.
Ivory Coast won their opener, but lost the next two - including a thrashing by Equatorial Guinea last time out - to finish third in the group. That may yet be enough to secure a place in the round of 16, with the four best third-placed teams qualifying.
As it stands, Gasset's team will be one of those to qualify, with Zambia and Namibia both requiring positive results to displace them. The former face Morocco in their final match, while the latter takes on Mali.
However, that was not deemed enough by Ivory Coast officials to secure the Frenchman's job. Both he and his assistant Ghislain Printant were relieved of their duties.
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The nation will hope to avoid a group stage exit, having last went out at this point in 2017. If they do, Emerse Fae, another of Gasset's coaches, will take charge on an interim basis. A statement read: "The contracts of coach Jean-Louis Gasset and his assistant Ghislain Printant are terminated due to insufficient results."
It added: "The Federation Ivoirienne de Football expresses its regrets for the performance of the Elephants during the group phase of the CAN (AFCON) 2023. However, it remains convinced of the potential of our football team, and calls for the unity of all for the upcoming events.”
The 70-year-old was appointed boss of the African side in May 2022 having previously managed Bordeaux, Saint-Etienne, and worked at PSG and with the French national team as an assistant.
The Ivory Coast national side have parted ways with Jean-Louis Gasset (FRANCK FIFE)Having entered their home tournament as one of the favourites to lift the title, the two-times champions were comprehensively defeated by Equatorial Guinea after a 1-0 loss to Nigeria had already left their progress uncertain. The likes of Willy Boly, Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Pepe all started in the embarrassing 4-0 thrashing.
Gasset was short of answers following the defeat. He said: "When you have a scenario like that, bordering on a nightmare, there's not much you can say or do.
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