Ivory Coast, the hosts of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, have dismissed Jean-Louis Gasset from his coaching position just two days after their 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea.
The recent 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea marked the most significant home loss in Ivory Coast’s history, making them the first Afcon host to lose two group games since 1984.
While there is a slim chance of advancing to the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams, the team faces an uncertain future.
Emerse Fae, one of Gasset’s coaches, will assume an interim role as the team’s leader. The country’s football federation cited “insufficient results” as the reason for terminating the contracts of 70-year-old Gasset and his assistant Ghislain Printant.
Despite finishing the group stage with three points in Group A, which included a 2-0 win against Guinea-Bissau and a 1-0 loss to Nigeria, Ivory Coast’s fate hinges on the outcomes of the last group games on Wednesday as they hope to secure a spot in the next stage.
Despite their unexpected loss in Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s chances of advancing were lifted as Group B concluded with Ghana securing third place with two points.
The federation appointed Jean-Louis Gasset, the former Bordeaux coach, in May 2022, succeeding compatriot Patrice Beaumelle.
Beaumelle’s contract was not extended following Ivory Coast’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and their exit from the last Nations Cup in Cameroon.