Wilmots vows to make 'Ivory Coast winners'

Ivorian head coach Marc Wilmots has said he is aiming to “make the team win again” shortly after he was presented to the media by Ivory Coast Football Federation.

The Belgian said Wednesday that intends to be “the only boss on board”, sweeping aside questions about the sometimes difficult pressure of working in an African environment.

“When I take on a business, I am the only one on board (…) I go my way, I do what I want with my feelings and that’s my way of working, “said the former Belgian coach at his press conference. “There is no pressure from a club or a player agent, it does not exist in me,” he added.

Wilmots said he will want to play “young and old” together and is not closing the door on older players such as Gervinho, Solomon Kalou and Yaya Touré, whom he said “are not finished”.

“If we play as a team, we will be strong. I hope that everyone understands it. Otherwise it will be difficult to play with me,” the 48 year old Belgian added, stressing that he wanted to analyze the situation and gauge the pulse of the older players before making any decision.

“The first objective is to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. We will do everything to be there,” the former Belgium coach added.

Wilmots signed on Tuesday a two-year contract that will see him lead the elephants during the CAN-2019 qualifiers and an additional option for 2 years until CAN-2021 championship.

The coaching job with Ivory Coast is the first African experience for the former Belgian international striker.