Emerse Faé, the newly appointed coach of the Elephants, exuded a calm and composed demeanor during a press conference held on Friday, February 2, 2024.
Following a triumphant debut as the coach of the Elephants in a thrilling encounter against Senegal (1-1, 5-4 on penalties), Faé swiftly transformed into an icon for the Ivorian populace.
Social media platforms resurfaced posts from Faé’s playing days, showcasing his unyielding spirit as a player for Nantes, Nice, and the Ivory Coast national team.
The resolute mentality that characterized his playing career has been successfully transmitted to his players, as evidenced by their remarkable performance against Senegal.
Approaching the quarter-finals, Faé, the successor to Jean-Louis Gasset, addressed the Ivorian public with a measured humility. “I’m not a magician.
I am just a young coach who knows his players quite well,” Faé asserted. Analyzing the strengths of Mali, their quarter-final opponent, he emphasized the formidable midfield prowess of the Malian team, highlighting the need for mental and physical strength to overcome the challenge.
Faé, who had developed a friendship with Mali’s coach Éric Sekou Chelle during their shared football journey, acknowledged the transformation of their relationship on the eve of the match.
Despite the historic tensions between the two brotherly nations, Faé called for restraint and fair play.
“Football is a sport that does a lot of things in the world. We want the match to take place in a fair-play atmosphere,” he emphasized.
As the Ivory Coast-Mali clash unfolds behind closed doors, Faé’s poised leadership and tactical acumen will be crucial for the Elephants as they aim to secure victory and advance further in AFCON 2023.
