Former Ivory Coast international Gervinho has been appointed to the technical staff of the national under-17 side as preparations intensify for the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar.
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) confirmed the news through its president, Yacine Idriss Diallo, during a reception held in Abidjan last Tuesday.
The appointment comes only weeks after the young Elephants celebrated their triumph at the inaugural African School Games in Annaba, where they defeated Algeria on penalties following a goalless draw.
Gervinho, capped 88 times for Ivory Coast and scorer of 23 international goals, will join the backroom team led by head coach Bassiriki Diabaté. According to local media, the former winger has been named sports manager for the U17s, bringing vast experience from his illustrious career in Europe and with the national side.
The 38-year-old, who has been without a club since leaving Greek side Aris Salonika in July 2023, is regarded as one of the most prominent Ivorian footballers of his generation.
He lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 2015 and represented his country at multiple World Cups and continental tournaments.
At club level, Gervinho featured for Lille, where he won the French league and cup double in 2011, before enjoying spells at Arsenal in the Premier League, AS Roma in Serie A, and Parma.
His career also included time in Turkey with Trabzonspor. The FIF is counting on that pedigree to provide leadership and inspiration to the country’s most promising young players.
Ivory Coast’s under-17s secured qualification for the upcoming World Cup by reaching the semi-finals of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year in Morocco. They eventually finished third, overcoming Burkina Faso on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the third-place play-off.
The achievement marked a significant step forward for the youth programme and cemented their place among Africa’s leading sides in the age category.
As sports manager, Gervinho is expected to serve as a link between the coaching staff and the players, helping to guide the team through both the challenges of competition and the transition from youth football towards the senior game. His role will also focus on instilling professionalism, discipline and tactical awareness—qualities he developed over more than a decade in top-level football.
Before travelling to Qatar for the U17 World Cup, scheduled between 3 and 27 November 2025, the Elephants will take part in the zonal qualifiers for the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament, organised by the Union of West African Football Federations (UFOA-B), will be staged in Ivory Coast from 11 to 25 September.
For Ivorian supporters, Gervinho’s return to the national setup represents more than just an appointment. It is also a symbolic reunion between a national icon and the country’s footballing future. The FIF hopes his presence will not only inspire the current U17 generation but also strengthen the pathway for young players aspiring to follow in his footsteps.
With the World Cup in Qatar fast approaching, the Elephants will now look to blend youthful energy with the experience of a proven leader as they aim to make an impression on the global stage.
Yao Kouassi Gervinho rejoint la sélection cadette (U17) dans un statut de manager sportif. #FootballCIV pic.twitter.com/y15Lhe8UcZ
— Le Kpakpato Sportif (@LKsportif) August 20, 2025
