Post-World Cup: Ivory Coast in Search for New Coach

The Elephants of Ivory Coast, one of Africa’s representatives at this year’s World Cup, have opened up applications for its head coach position.

RELATED: Post-World Cup: Nigeria Heads Toward International Football Ban

With a talent pool that is unmatched in Africa, the Ivorian national team could attract top available managers who seek adventures in Africa.

One such coach is Giovanni Trapattoni (pictured below) who is currently the favorite for the position. The Italian tactician, with 40 years of coaching under his belt, has the Morocco National team pursuing him, but he indicated in a radio interview with Italy’s Radio Due that he would rather be with West Africans.

Although evidence show ongoing negotiations between Trapattoni and Ivorian authorities, the Federation of Ivorian Football (FIF) still has the application for the head coach position open till the middle of month, per BBC reports.

Considering that the African Cup of Nations (ACN) qualifiers are already underway, one would have thought that World Cup coach Sabri Lamouchi‘s (pictured) contract would have been renewed at least till the middle of February when the ACN tournament in Morocco ends.

The Ivorian position was the first managerial role for Lamouchi who was appointed in May 2012.

Should a deal with Trapattoni materialize, Ivory Coast would be getting a very experienced coach who has won league titles in Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Austria.

He could be the missing link that would help Ivory Coast reach its full football potential.

RELATED: How an African Team Can Win the World Cup: Strategic Lesson from Brazil