After being informed by the Ivorian Football Federation that his contract would not be renewed, Fae said: "I was close to renewing it, but the decision was very sudden."

In an interview with L'Équipe, former Ivory Coast national team coach Fae revealed that he was close to renewing his contract with the Ivory Coast Football Federation, but learned at the last minute that the contract would not be extended.

The Ivorian Football Federation abruptly announced on Friday that Fae would not renew his contract. This comes just weeks after Ivory Coast were eliminated by Norway in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The 42-year-old Fae took over as head coach of the Ivory Coast in January 2024 during the Africa Cup of Nations, replacing the sacked Frenchman Gasset. He initially served as interim coach before being officially appointed on February 20, 2024, leading the team to a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final to win the Africa Cup of Nations.

Fae said the decision was a huge blow to him. He was still negotiating a contract extension with the Ivorian Football Association right after the World Cup. "Yesterday morning (Friday), the leadership called me and said they wouldn't be renewing the contract. It all happened so suddenly, without any explanation. They admitted they had done a good job and originally intended to continue working with us, but after another leadership meeting, they decided to stop. I'm not the kind of person who would press for answers. I accept it, that's it," he wrote in L'Équipe.

Fae expressed his disappointment and "frustration" that the Ivorian Football Federation had not given a reason for not renewing his contract. "I don't want to figure it out, I'll never find the reason."

He had already set his sights on the next cycle, the 2030 World Cup. "Before the World Cup, I said that with this team's potential, 2026 would allow us to continue learning while maintaining our ambition. There are 26 new players among these 26, including myself as the coach. I know we will show something, and we will gain experience to prepare for 2030. When I officially signed after the Africa Cup of Nations, my plan was focused on the development of Ivorian football, not just results." As for his next step, Fae doesn't rule out coaching another national team and pursuing a "long-term partnership" with the football association. He also doesn't rule out a move into youth development.