Two-time African champions Cote d’Ivoire have decided not to renew the expired contract of their national team coach, Patrice Beaumelle.
The Frenchman’s contract deal with the West African country expired last week and he leaves the post after two years in charge.

The Ivorian football federation (FIF), which is run by a Normalization Committee, reached the decision following recent setbacks suffered by the Elephants.

Under Beaumelle, the Elephants failed to reach the play-offs for the 2022 World Cup before crashing out of the recent TotalEnerigies Africa Cup of Nations at the last 16 stage.

The decision looks to have been taken to give the Elephants a fresh start in preparation for the country’s hosting for the AFCON next year.

According to FIF, despite the perfect working relationship they had with the French coach, they have amicably reached the decision not to extend his stay.

“The committee salutes [Beaumelle’s] human qualities, commitment, professionalism, humility and discretion,” FIF wrote in a statement on their official website.

“While welcoming the open-mindedness of the French technician and the good collaboration with the FIF, the committee wishes him a happy continuation of his career.”

Beaumelle took charge of the Ivorian national team in March 2020 for his second stint as a technical team member of the Elephants.

He was the assistant coach of Cote d’Ivoire under his compatriot Herve Renard when they won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 43-year-old was also the assistant coach to Renard when the Frenchman led the Zambia national team to win the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations title.

The decision means Cote d’Ivoire are the latest African national team to part company with their coach following the exits of the coaches of Burkina Faso, Egypt and Mali.