Ivory Coast have extended head coach Emerse Faé’s contract for three months, allowing him to remain in charge of the Elephants for their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana.
The decision comes as the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) attempts to manage a tight transition period following the end of Faé’s previous contract and the approaching start of the AFCON qualification campaign.
Ivory Coast are scheduled to face the Black Stars on September 23, only 11 days after the election of a new FIF president, leaving little time for the federation to appoint a new coach and prepare the national team for such a significant fixture.
Faced with the challenge, the FIF emergency committee met to decide the immediate future of the coaching position.
The eight-member committee, which includes key federation officials such as the president and league representatives, debated whether to retain Faé temporarily or allow his assistants, Guy Demel and Alain Gouaméné, to oversee squad selection and preparations.
The urgency was increased by the deadline of August 15 for submitting preliminary player call-ups to clubs.
After discussions, the federation chose continuity and approved a short-term extension for Faé.
The former Ivory Coast international will now operate as interim coach for the next three months, with his main responsibility being to guide the Elephants against Ghana before leaving the position.
The decision ensures the reigning African champions avoid entering a major qualifier without a permanent technical direction.
Faé played a key role in Ivory Coast’s remarkable triumph at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which was hosted on home soil in early 2024.
After taking charge during the tournament, he guided the Elephants through a dramatic knockout-stage run to secure their third continental title.
However, the federation has already started preparations for life after Faé, with the search for his long-term replacement reportedly underway.
Three potential candidates have emerged as leading options as Ivory Coast consider who should take charge of the national team moving forward.
For now, the focus remains on the Ghana fixture, a highly anticipated West African encounter between two of the continent’s biggest football nations.
Faé’s temporary extension gives him the opportunity to continue building on the progress made during his time with the Elephants while allowing the federation more time to make a permanent coaching decision.
