Guy Demel discusses how his relationship with Emerse Faé has cooled
The former assistant to the Elephants shared rare insights on NCI regarding his relationship with Emerse Faé. He asserts that there is no direct conflict, but acknowledges that disagreements have gradually created distance.
Guy Demel has shared rare insights into his relationship with Emerse Faé. In an interview with NCI broadcast on September 10, 2026, the former assistant to the Elephants explained that their closeness has gradually diminished, without mentioning any direct conflict between them.
The former Ivorian international stated that he disagreed with certain ideas from Faé’s entourage and with some of the working methods. According to him, these differences have created distance over time, although they did not affect their collaboration on the field.
Guy Demel illustrated this change by recounting their daily interactions. He noted that at one time, the two men could spend long hours on the phone discussing football. By the end of their collaboration, their conversations focused more on training sessions and the immediate needs of the team.
These revelations come a few weeks after the conclusion of Emerse Faé’s tenure as head of the Elephants. Nevertheless, Demel provided a positive assessment of the two years spent in the staff, highlighting the continental title, the rejuvenation of the team, and the qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
In the same interview, Guy Demel also stated that his relationship with the president of the Ivorian Football Federation, Idriss Diallo, has changed since Diallo’s election in 2022. He recalled supporting Diallo’s candidacy, while noting that some subsequent directions taken no longer aligned with his expectations.
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