Hugo Broos reveals he rejected offer to be head coach of Ivory Coast

Former South Africa tactician Hugo Broos has revealed that he recently rejected an approach from the Ivory Coast to take charge of the national team.

The experienced Belgian coach disclosed that he was contacted about the possibility of becoming head coach of the Elephants but decided against accepting the offer because he no longer sees coaching as a priority.

Broos, who has enjoyed a long and successful career in African football, said he has reached a stage where he does not want to return to the demands and pressures that come with managing a national team.

“I know myself. In a few months, this situation is going to become a problem. Not that I want to be a coach again, mind you. That chapter is definitely closed, no matter who calls,” Broos told Nieuwsblad.

The 74-year-old revealed that the Ivory Coast approach came just two weeks before he made the comments, suggesting that the offer was a serious attempt to convince him to return to international management.

“Fourteen days ago, I got a call to start with Ivory Coast. If that question had come ten years earlier, I would already be in Ivory Coast,” he added.

Broos’ comments underline how much his priorities have changed despite the opportunity to take charge of one of Africa’s most talented national teams.

The Belgian has considerable experience on the continent, most notably with South Africa. He guided Bafana Bafana to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign and later led the country to a memorable third-place finish at the 2023 AFCON, played in Ivory Coast in early 2024.

His decision to turn down the Elephants also comes at a time when the Ivorian national team were looking for a new direction following the departure of their previous coach.

Ivory Coast have since turned to a familiar figure, appointing Hervé Renard earlier this month. Renard previously led the Elephants to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2015, ending the country’s long wait for the continental title.

Renard’s return means Ivory Coast have opted for a coach who already understands the country’s football environment and has experienced success with the national team.

For Broos, however, the opportunity to return to the dugout was not enough to change his mind.

Despite his reputation and wealth of experience, the Belgian insists that coaching is no longer part of his plans, meaning the Ivory Coast approach could prove to be one of the final major offers of his distinguished managerial career.