Ivory Coast make bizarre LOAN move for World Cup 2022 manager after sacking boss before progressing in Afcon

IVORY COAST have made a bizarre loan offer for a MANAGER, reports suggest.

Loan transfers during the transfer window are usually nothing out of the ordinary, but when it comes to international football it is unheard of.

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Let alone the offer being for a manager.

However, that is exactly what has happened to the Ivory Coast after extraordinary circumstances unfolded on their African Cup of Nations journey.

The West African nation believed themselves to be crashing out of Afcon after a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Equatorial Guinea in their final group game on Monday and a third-place finish.

This prompted national team chiefs to sack manager Jean-Louis Gasset on Wednesday.

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But Morocco's victory over Zambia meant the host nation progressed into the knockout round as one of the four best third-place finishers.

The Elephants appointed forgotten ex-Premier League star Emerse Fae as interim boss.

In a bid to help them lift the trophy for the first time since 2015, they made an offer to land France women's manager Hervé Renard on loan for the remainder of the tournament, according to .

Fans on social media were shocked about the news, with one reacting: "Never in my life have I heard of a coach go on loan. The AFCON is the best football tournament ever."

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A second said: "Lmao Afcon football never ceases to amaze me."

A third said: "So coaches go on loan too."

While another added: "Loaning managers? AFCON deserves a Netflix special."

Renard shot to fame during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, when he led Saudi Arabia to a stunning victory over eventual champions Argentina.

He also led Ivory Coast to their second-ever Afcon title in 2015.

However, it has now been reported negotiations for a deal broke down on Thursday.

Renard, 55, told broadcaster Canal Plus: "The negotiations did not finish favourably, it's because it shouldn't have been.

"I'd have loved it but fate chose otherwise."

Fae is now set to stay in charge against defending champion Senegal in Yamoussoukro next Monday.

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