Ivory Coast Manager Jean-Louis Gasset Fired Midway Through AFCON Campaign

Jean-Louis Gasset was fired as manager of the Ivory Coast men's national team shortly before his side qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16.

Jean-Louis Gasset was fired from his role as manager of the Ivory Coast men's national team this week after losing back-to-back group games at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The tournament hosts kicked off AFCON 2023 with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau but then lost 1-0 to Nigeria before being thrashed 4-0 by Equatorial Guinea on Monday.

Those results left the Ivory Coast third in Group A with a dismal goal difference of minus three.

Nevertheless, that was ultimately just enough to qualify for the round of 16 as the fourth best third-placed team in the group phase.

However, Gasset had already been dismissed by the time that qualification was confirmed following Wednesday's results in Group E and Group F.

Jean-Louis Gasset was fired as Ivory Coast manager on Wednesday shortly before his team qualified for the round of 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations :: IMAGO/Shengolpixs/Amada Masaru

The Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF) said in a statement that Gasset and his assistant Ghislain Printant had their contracts terminated "due to insufficient results".

The statement added: "The Federation Ivoirienne de Football expresses its regrets for the performance of the Elephants during the group phase of the AFCON 2023.

"However, it remains convinced of the potential of our football team, and calls for the unity of all for the upcoming events."

Emerse Fae is expected to be in charge on Saturday when the Ivory Coast take on Nigeria for a place in the AFCON quarter-finals.