Emers Fae: The Emergency Coach Leading Ivory Coast to AFCON Victory
Emers Fae, a former international midfielder with the French national team and later with the Ivorian national team, has been making headlines for his remarkable coaching journey with the Ivorian national team, leading them to their third continental title.
Early Life and Background
Emers Fae was born on January 24, 1984, in the city of Nantes in northwestern France to Ivorian immigrant parents in search of a better life. Growing up in the “England Street” neighborhood in the suburbs of Nantes, which had a large African community, Fae dreamed of becoming a football player or a doctor to fulfill his parents’ wishes. Little did he know that his love for football would lead him to a professional playing career and eventually to coaching.
Early Passion for Football
Fae’s talent for football emerged between the ages of five and seven when he played with friends in the streets, with football consuming most of their time and keeping them out late into the night. His early football experiences in the “Malakoff” neighborhood laid the foundation for his future career.
Initially serving as a skilled goalkeeper for his neighborhood team, Fae quickly transitioned to playing as a defensive midfielder. He honed his skills at the Nantes club academy, where he stood out among his peers and eventually made his way to the senior team.
Football Career in France
Fae signed his first professional contract with Nantes and made his debut in July 2003. Over the course of four seasons, he appeared in 126 matches for the club before experiencing a downturn that led to relegation to the second division in 2007.
He later joined English club Reading for three years before returning to Nice in France, where he made a significant impact. Fae’s performances caught the attention of French youth national team coaches, and he went on to win the U-17 World Cup in 2001.
Transition to Coaching
After retiring from professional football at the age of 28 due to health reasons, Fae pursued a coaching career. He obtained coaching certifications and worked with youth teams at various French clubs before taking on head coaching roles.
Fae’s coaching journey eventually led him back to his roots, as he chose to represent Ivory Coast internationally. He played 44 matches for the Ivorian national team before retiring in 2012 and transitioning to coaching.
Leading Ivory Coast to AFCON Victory
Fae’s coaching prowess came to the forefront when he was appointed as the interim coach of the Ivory Coast national team during the 2023/2024 African Cup of Nations. Despite the challenges, Fae guided the team to their third continental title, defying the odds and capturing the hearts of fans across the continent.
In a remarkable turn of events, Fae steered Ivory Coast to victory in the tournament, becoming the first coach to lead his team to the AFCON title without starting the tournament as the head coach. His strategic acumen and motivational leadership were instrumental in Ivory Coast’s triumph, marking a historic moment in the team’s journey.
As Fae continues to make waves in the world of football coaching, his legacy as the emergency coach who led Ivory Coast to AFCON victory will be remembered as a testament to his coaching abilities and determination.
