AFCON 2023: Ivory Coast part ways with head coach Jean-Louis Gasset

The Football Association of Ivory Coast have terminated the contract of its head coach, Jean-Louis Gasset after the nations disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The decision to sack Gasset was made despite the possibility of the host nation advancing to the next round of the competition. The country's former midfielder Emerse Fae has been placed in charge of the team when they reach the knockout stages.

What did the statement from the FA say?

"The contracts of coach Jean-Louis Gasset and his assistant Ghislain Printant are terminated due to insufficient results."

Why was Jean-Louis sacked?

The host nation had high hopes before the competition started but the recent run of results in the group stage made it an easy decision for the FA to terminate his contract. This is the first time in nine attempts that the Ivorians have failed to qualify from the group phase to the knock-out stage.

What is Ivory Coast's hope of reaching the Round of 16?

The hosts are waiting on other results to see if they will reach the knockout stages after their 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea.
They have three points from three group games and are hoping to advance as one of the best four third-placed teams in the competition. South Africa face Tunisia and Namibia face Mali in in Group E, while in Group F Tanzania go up against DR Congo and Zambia trade tackles with Morocco.

He is the second head coach to be sacked this week at AFCON after Chris Hughton was sacked by the Ghanaian FA following their group-stage exit from the tournament.