TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025: Know the Coach: Emerse Faé (Côte d’Ivoire)
Emerse Faé has quickly emerged as a pivotal figure in African football. Appointed as Côte d’Ivoire’s head coach in January 2024, the 41-year-old has already solidified his place among the continent’s elite tacticians.
With a historic TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations title under his belt, Faé represents a new generation of African coaches blending modern football philosophies with deep emotional intelligence.
His journey has been marked by bold decisions, tactical ingenuity, and an unwavering commitment to revitalizing Côte d’Ivoire’s footballing legacy.
As the Elephants prepare for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, Faé’s leadership and vision are central to their ambitions.
Name: Emerse Faé
Birthplace: Nantes, France
Age: 41
Team: Côte d’Ivoire
Coaching Career
Emerse Faé began his coaching career in 2012 at the OGC Nice academy in France, working as an assistant coach for the U17 team under Alain Wathelet. He assumed the role of head coach for the team in 2015, where he honed his skills in nurturing young talent.
In 2018, Faé earned his State Diploma in Sport with a specialization in football, paving the way for his promotion to coach Nice’s U19 team. By March 2020, he had completed his professional coaching license, positioning himself as one of the most qualified young coaches in Europe.
Faé’s big break came on January 25, 2024, when he was appointed as Côte d’Ivoire’s interim coach following Jean-Louis Gasset’s resignation. Despite the challenging circumstances of taking over mid-tournament during AFCON 2023, he rallied the Elephants to an extraordinary title victory, earning a permanent appointment as head coach. 
Style of Play
Emerse Faé is known for his dynamic and attacking football philosophy, emphasizing ball possession and rapid transitions between defense and attack. His tactical approach is rooted in rigorous organization and the ability to exploit opponents’ weaknesses with clinical precision.
Faé has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt his strategies to match situations. During AFCON 2023, he famously declared, “We were dead after the loss to Equatorial Guinea, but we resurrected against Morocco and Zambia,” showcasing his motivational prowess and tactical flexibility.
His partnership with assistant coach Guy Demel has been instrumental in fostering a cohesive and adaptable team. The duo’s shared vision of football and strong camaraderie have been pivotal to the Elephants’ recent success.
Experience at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations
Emerse Faé’s first experience at AFCON came during Côte d’Ivoire’s triumphant 2023 campaign, held on home soil. Taking charge mid-tournament, Faé led the Elephants to a thrilling knockout stage performance. Highlights included a penalty shootout victory over defending champions Senegal in the Round of 16 and a dramatic 2-1 extra-time win against Mali in the quarter-finals.
Côte d’Ivoire’s crowning moment came in the final, where they defeated Nigeria 2-1, thanks to a late winner from Sébastien Haller. Faé’s tactical adjustments and motivational leadership earned him the Best Coach of the Tournament award.
Did You Know?
Emerse Faé is only the second Ivorian coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations, following Yéo Martial’s triumph in 1992. He is also part of an exclusive group of 14 African coaches to have lifted the continental trophy with their national team.
As Côte d’Ivoire prepares for AFCON 2025, Emerse Faé’s tactical brilliance and inspirational leadership promise to make the Elephants a formidable force once again.