African coaches are as good as Europeans and South Americans – Emerse Faé

Former Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé believes African coaches are just as capable as their European counterparts, insisting that they need greater patience, improved working conditions and adequate resources to succeed.

Faé, who guided the Elephants to glory at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, has urged African football leaders to provide coaches with the necessary support to develop their ideas and build competitive teams.

The Ivorian tactician made the remarks during a strategic conference organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cape Verde last week, where he called for a change in the way coaches are treated across the continent.

According to Faé, the frequent dismissal of coaches after disappointing results undermines the development of African football, as technical handlers are often denied sufficient time to implement their philosophies and establish a clear playing identity.

“For progress to be made and for African football to continue to grow, African leaders must give coaching staff time to do their work: they have ideas, but football doesn’t happen overnight, it takes hard work and time,” he said.

“So let these coaches get on with their work, and we must also provide the conditions for them to do their jobs properly. We’re every bit as good as the Europeans or the South Americans, but we really need the same conditions and the same mindset as those teams that are winning.”

Faé believes the quality of African coaches should not be questioned simply because they operate in environments where resources, preparation and technical support may be limited compared with those available to leading teams in Europe and South America.

He stressed that football authorities must create an enabling environment for coaches to translate their tactical ideas into results, arguing that patience and institutional backing are essential ingredients for sustained success.

The former Ivory Coast coach knows what it takes to succeed under pressure, having taken charge of the Elephants during the 2023 AFCON and guided them from a difficult group-stage campaign to the title.

Ivory Coast eventually defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the final to secure their third continental crown, a triumph that established Faé as one of the standout coaching figures in African football.

However, his tenure ended after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the Ivorian Football Federation opting not to renew his contract.

Despite his departure, Faé has used the opportunity to highlight the broader challenges facing African coaches, calling on football administrators to move beyond short-term expectations and adopt a more sustainable approach to team development.

He believes African coaches possess the ability to compete at the highest level but need the same commitment, working conditions and support systems enjoyed by successful teams elsewhere.

Faé’s message is clear: African football must invest in its coaching talent, demonstrate greater patience and provide technical staff with the resources required to turn their potential into lasting success.