Former Cote D'Ivoire head coach, Jean-Louis Gasset
Ivorian football community is in mourning following the death of former AFCON 2023 head coach, Jean-Louis Gasset, who passed away on Friday at the age of 72, his former club Montpellier confirmed.
Gasset, a veteran French tactician, briefly led the Elephants during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Côte d’Ivoire—a tournament remembered for its dramatic twists and unforgettable storylines.
His tenure began with high expectations but was marred by a 4–0 group-stage defeat to Equatorial Guinea, leaving Ivory Coast in third place and resulting in his dismissal.
Despite this setback, the Elephants progressed to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams and eventually lifted the trophy under assistant coach Emerse Faé.
Even after leaving the helm, Gasset’s early tactical groundwork and guidance were widely credited as a key factor in Côte d’Ivoire’s remarkable resurgence to claim the title.
In a statement, the Ivorian Football Federation described his passing as “a significant loss to Ivorian and international football.
He was a man of principles and professional rigor. Jean-Louis Gasset left an indelible mark on the Elephants and played a decisive role in the success of Côte d’Ivoire at AFCON 2023.”
Gasset enjoyed a distinguished career in French football, spending his playing days exclusively with Montpellier before serving as assistant to Laurent Blanc at Bordeaux, the French national team, and Paris Saint-Germain. He later managed Montpellier, Saint-Étienne, and Marseille, and remained involved in football as a pundit until recently.
His death marks the end of an era for a respected figure whose influence extended far beyond the sidelines, leaving a lasting legacy on African and European football alike.
