The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) clarified the circumstances surrounding the departure of Jean-Louis Gasset from the position of head coach during the ongoing AFCON 2023. The FIF had initially announced the termination of Gasset’s contract, attributing it to unsatisfactory results.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the FIF stated, “The contracts of the Selector-Coach Jean-Louis André Lucien Gasset and his Deputy Ghislain Marie Joseph Printant are terminated for insufficient results, in accordance with the contract objective which linked them to the FIF.”
However, it has now come to light that Gasset voluntarily resigned from his position, opting for a different narrative than the one initially presented.
According to reputable sources, including L’Equipe, Gasset took the initiative to resign, hoping to create a significant impact and spur a positive reaction from the team.
The decision came in the wake of a disappointing group phase for the Elephants, culminating in a 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea.
Guy Demel, who recently joined the technical staff under the new coach Émerse Faé, corroborated this version of events.
“You should know that it was Jean-Louis Gasset himself who submitted his resignation.
The president (of the FIF, Idriss Diallo, editor’s note) gave himself time to think, then the authorities and the Minister of Sports said that we had to accept it,” stated Demel during an interview on Canal+ CAN.
The clarification brings an unexpected twist to the situation, raising questions about the dynamics within the Ivorian team and the reasons behind Gasset’s departure.
As the Elephants prepare for a crucial clash against Senegal in the round of 16, the impact of this surprising turn of events remains to be seen.
The resignation of Gasset adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, leaving football enthusiasts anticipating the team’s performance in the upcoming fixture.
Guy Demel rejoint le staff de l’équipe de A, il faut noter qu’il occupait le poste de sélectionneur des espoirs.#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #CAN2023 pic.twitter.com/02etQB1dx1
— Le Kpakpato Sportif (@LKsportif) January 24, 2024
