Zahoui set to follow Eriksson as Ivory Coast coach

Francois Zahoui is in line to be appointed the new coach of Ivory Coast on a permanent basis, according to Ivorian press reports on Thursday.

The former Nancy player, who currently coaches Ivory Coast’s youth teams, reportedly has the backing of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) to succeed Swedish coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Eriksson led the Elephants at the 2010 World Cup, where they were knocked out in the group phase, but has not been offered a new contract due to his high wage demands.

Zahoui took charge of Ivory Coast for their first post-World Cup game on August 10 and oversaw an impressive 1-0 friendly defeat of Italy in London.

“I saw some great play and my satisfaction will be sustained by this level,” said FIF president Jacques Anouma.

“The environment, the quality and maturity of our players and our current political objectives could lead us to choose a local coach.

“Today the question is about Francois Zahoui. I admit he has the profile and a good understanding of global football. But we’ll have to put the right organisational machinery at his disposal if the choice falls upon him.”

The FIF were previously believed to be looking for a foreign coach and were reported to be in “very advanced” discussions with Frenchman Gerard Gili.

Gili assisted Henri Michel during his spell as Ivory Coast head coach and went on to lead the Elephants at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

Gili also coached the Ivorian under-23 side and succeeded in getting them qualified for the football tournament at the 2008 Beijing Olympics for the first time in the country’s history.

Despite being the front-runner, Gili told French sport daily L’Equipe that the top players in the Ivory Coast squad were opposed to his appointment and had expressed their reservations in a letter to the FIF.

The FIF responded by issuing a statement formally denying the claims.