The Ivorian Football Association (IFA) on Monday announced Emerse Fae as the new head coach of the national senior team.

“Emerse was until now interim coach and has just been confirmed today as a full coach,” the Ivoirian federation boss Idriss Diallo said. Fae, who started the just-ended AFCON 2023 competition as assistant to Jean-Louis Gasset, took over the Elephants on an interim basis, halfway through the 2023 AFCON, after Gasset was fired.

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Against all odds, Fae led the Ivory Coast to their third title, beating Nigeria’s Super Eagles 2-1 in the final. The 40-year-old was part of the Elephants side that lost the 2006 AFCON final against Egypt and described his success in the 2023 edition as personal ‘revenge’ for his career.

Fae oversaw an incredible turnaround. In the last 16, the Ivorians came from behind to beat holders Senegal on penalties. Then, playing much of the match with 10 men, they came from behind to beat Mali in extra time in the quarter-finals.

After beating the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in the last four, they came from behind once more to beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final and lift the trophy. Fae will now be tasked with defending the title at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco and returning the Elephants to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2014.