Ivory Coast Coach Patrice Beaumelle Handed Short Contract

The Normalization Committee of the Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF) has handed head coach Patrice Beaumelle a one-month contract extension ahead of upcoming international friendlies against France and England.

Beaumelle led Ivory Coast to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon where they were eliminated by Egypt in the Round of 16.

The 43-year-old’s contract expired automatically at the end of February, but a reliable source confirmed it has been extended to cover the upcoming high-profile matches.

Beaumelle was appointed as Ivory Coast head coach at the end of February 2020, replacing local coach  Ibrahim Camara.

The Frenchman had previously worked at the Elephants as he was assistant to his compatriot Herve Renard when the Elephants won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

He has worked extensively with Renard and was his assistant when Zambia won the title three years earlier, in 2012.

His previous job was in Morocco where he served as national team’s assistant coach and left by mutual consent in July 2019.

Ivory Coast are set for a busy month as they will face France in Marseille on March 25 before playing England at Wembley Stadium on March 29.

The games are expected to prepare the two-time African champions for the 2022 calendar year after their elimination at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Elephants are ranked as the 56th best footballing nation in the world while France and England occupy the third and fourth spots, respectively.