Cote d’Ivoire outlines reasons for Dussuyer choice
Côte d'Ivoire has a new national coach since Monday evening. He is Michel Dussuyer. The former coach of Benin and Guinea was chosen over Frédéric Antonetti following a video-conference interview.
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) used this same process in 2014 to recruit Hervé Renard.
Dussuyer's African experience certainly prevailed: “he knows Africa and the world of Ivorian football. In the past, he had been the assistant of Henri Michel at the helm of the Elephants. In 2006 for instance, he was in charge of analysing the games or play style of opponents”.
Côte d'Ivoire got to the finals, where they on penalties to host Egypt. More so, at the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea, Dussuyer, then coach of Syli Nationale of Guinea held the Ivorians to a 1-1 draw at the group phase. Prior to that, he had coached Benin where he left a good impression.
Dussuyer has agreed to reside in Côte d'Ivoire, which he really likes, Sidy Diallo - President of FIF stated, as he explains the federation's choice. Not without recognising that the former coach of Bastia and Rennes (Antonetti) also has values to offer; just that a choice had to be made between the two candidates, after Henry Kasperczak, who has finally settled in Tunisia, declined at the last minute.
“Dussuyer's African experience played the trick...” Diallo pointed out while calling on each and everyone to support the new coach in this difficult mission.
On his part, Lama Bamba, the former coach of the Elephants has observed that the federation goes for Dussuyer because of his experience in Africa is a powerful argument, but he will be judged by his works.
“Renard, who Dussuyer replaces, has raised the standards really high. The conquest of the continental title in Equatorial Guinea. His successor must therefore struggle to stay on course. Coaching is a difficult job. Thus the task promises to be delicate for Renard's successor. He now carries a heavy burden”, said the coach, whose preference was Antonetti.