Lamouchi steps down from Ivory Coast post

Sabri Lamouchi has resigned as coach of Ivory Coast following the country s heartbreaking exit at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Ivory Coast were on track to qualify from Group C and join Colombia in the round of 16 before Georgios Samaras scored a controversial 93rd-minute penalty to hand Greece a 2-1 win in Fortaleza on Tuesday.

While Greece advanced ahead of Ivory Coast by one point, it condemned the African nation to their third consecutive group-stage exit at a World Cup.

And Ivory Coast s failure has claimed the casualty of Lamouchi, who was a controversial appointment back in 2012 having had no previous managerial experience.

My contract ended at this World Cup. It won t be renewed and you can understand why, the 42-year-old said post-game.

It makes sense given we came up short at the Africa Cup of Nations and at the World Cup.

I gave it my all for two years but my time with Côte d Ivoire comes to an end tonight unfortunately. I really enjoyed my time with this team and I was very proud to represent this great nation.

Lamouchi added: It was a cruel way to lose, but the Greeks did enough to win. We were one minute away from a famous result but the small details are what decide games at this level.

I m very disappointed and frustrated.

Lamouchi a former France international replaced Francois Zahoui in May 2012 but could only guide Ivory Coast to the quarter-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last year.

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