Zahoui drops suit, accepts Espoir job
After threatening to sue the Ivory Coast football federation (FIF) a day ago for unfair dismissal, the body announced on Monday it had reached an agreement with Francois Zahoui to take charge of the junior national team called Espoir.
The 49-year-old former midfielder, who flawlessly led Ivory Coast to the final of the 2012 Afcon against Zambia, has been tasked with grooming the U20 team and qualifying the U23 outfit to the 2016 Olympic Games.
The former Ivory Coast international was sacked as coach of the senior team on May 29 and replaced by French coach of Tunisian descent Sabri Lamouchi, whom many locals feel is too inexperienced for the job.
Lamouchi is taking up a coaching job for the first time.
The FIF said it would also assign other duties to Zahoui like the development of the country’s football.
Senegal football federation has confirmed Zahoui’s application for the vacant coaching post of the Teranga Lions.
The Ivorian has also been reported to have applied for Mali’s job after the departure of Alain Giresse, who led the Eagles to win bronze at the 2012 Afcon.
