Veteran French football coach Jean-Louis Gasset, who was dismissed by Ivory Coast during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before the team went on to win the tournament, has died at the age of 72. His former club Montpellier confirmed the news on Friday.
No cause of death was disclosed.
Gasset, a respected figure in French and African football, had been appointed head coach of the Ivory Coast national team ahead of the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by the West African nation earlier this year. Expectations were high for the experienced coach as Ivory Coast sought to make a strong impression on home soil.
However, his time in charge came to an abrupt end following one of the most dramatic moments in the tournament’s history. Ivory Coast suffered a shocking 4–0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea in their final group match, a result widely described as the biggest upset ever recorded at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The heavy loss left the hosts finishing third in their group and appeared to end their hopes of progressing further in the competition. In the immediate aftermath, the Ivorian Football Federation dismissed Gasset, citing the team’s poor performances and mounting public pressure.
Despite the setback, Ivory Coast later qualified for the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams. Under the guidance of Gasset’s assistant, Emerse Faé, the Elephants staged a remarkable recovery, going on to lift the AFCON trophy in a dramatic turnaround that captured global attention.
Although Gasset was no longer in charge during the knockout phase, his brief association with the tournament remains one of its most talked-about storylines, highlighting the unpredictable nature of international football.
Following his return to France, Gasset was appointed head coach of Olympique de Marseille in February. However, his spell at the Ligue 1 club proved short-lived, lasting just four months amid mixed results and growing scrutiny.
He later returned to Montpellier, the club most closely associated with his career, during the following season. Tasked with steering the side away from relegation, Gasset was unable to halt their decline and was dismissed in April as the club struggled near the bottom of the table.
Gasset’s relationship with Montpellier ran deep. He spent the majority of his playing career at the club, and his personal ties were strengthened by the fact that his father was among Montpellier’s founders. Over the years, Gasset served the club in various capacities, earning admiration for his loyalty and dedication.
Beyond his club career, Gasset was known for his tactical discipline and man-management skills. He worked as both head coach and assistant at several French clubs, including Saint-Étienne, Bordeaux and Paris Saint-Germain, often earning praise for his professionalism and calm demeanour.
Tributes have begun to emerge from across the football world, with former players, clubs and colleagues acknowledging his contribution to the game. Montpellier described him as “a man of the club and a servant of football”, highlighting his lasting influence on generations of players and coaches.
Gasset’s death marks the end of a long career spent largely behind the scenes, shaping teams and supporting managers at the highest level of the sport. While his time with Ivory Coast was brief and turbulent, it formed part of a tournament that will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary in African football history.
He is survived by his family.