According to reports from the Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport, Sabri Lamouchi will not continue as the coach of the Ivory Coast national team after the upcoming World Cup. Instead, Giovanni Trapattoni, the veteran Italian coach, is set to take over the reins.
After negotiations lasting 15 days, an agreement has been reached between Trapattoni and the Ivorian Football Federation. Although the contract has yet to be formally signed to avoid conflicts with Lamouchi before the World Cup, it is reported to be for a period of four years.
Trapattoni, 74 years old, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having recently managed the Republic of Ireland national team. His specific objectives reportedly include winning the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in 2015 or 2017 and guiding Ivory Coast to qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Lamouchi’s tenure as Ivory Coast coach has faced criticism, particularly following the team’s underwhelming performance in the World Cup play-offs against Senegal. Ultimately, it seems his detractors have prevailed, leading to the decision for a change in leadership.
