
After signing a two-year renewable contract with the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), Dussuyer unveiled his priorities, and hope to attain the level of his predecessor.
Meeting the press for the first time, the new coach of the Elephants was rather calm. However, at the audience, as the President of FIF, Sidy Diallo, presented him, the French trainer who, in addition to being in charge of senior national team, will also take charge of the local senior side, Team A, responded to a dozen questions.
“My experience on the continent played to my favour. I have got the human resources, and the ambition to win trophies with Côte d'Ivoire. We would have to progressively put in place a style of play”, he pointed out, as he sought to clear doubts regarding his capacity to meet up to the standards of the reigning African champions.
“It's an honour and a delicate responsibility as well, to lead this team. Côte d'Ivoire is a great a football nation on the continent. The challenge is great. I am eager to continue in the same spirit of victory like at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea. So far as I’m concerned, it's a challenge, a challenge with continuity, in terms of results,” Dussuyer stated.
The 56-year old promised to continue the job started by his predecessor, now in charge of French side, Lille.
“I have come to win a trophy also. To this light, we would have to uphold the momentum instilled by Herve Renard, whom I congratulate. The team is of quality. There is a state of mind which should be maintained. It is up to me to add my might. Everywhere I have been, I made sure my team came up with a style of play.
“I will ensure that the team of Côte d'Ivoire has a well-developed playing style", said the former coach of Benin and Guinea who has no intention of leaving his position any time soon.
“My contract ends before the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. I hope to continue with good results. I have come to stay.”
Dussuyer has been mandated to qualify the Elephants for the final tournament of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon. The holders are in Group I with hosts Gabon, Sierra Leone and Sudan.
“As a matter of fact, I will be the coach of team A for the double confrontation against Ghana in the qualifiers for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) Rwanda 2016 qualifiers. I intend to rely on local expertise with a probationary period scheduled for August to get to know the players, before putting in place a preparation programme with friendly matches,” he concluded.