World Cup: Sabri Lamouchi quits as Ivory Coast coach

Sabri Lamouchi is the latest coach to resign from his post, following Ivory Coast’s exit from the World Cup.

The 42-year-old Frenchman has stepped down despite seeing his side come within a minute of qualifying for the knock-out stages.

The African nation appeared to be on their way into the last 16 until Georgios Samaras netted a last-gasp injury time penalty to give Greece a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in Fortaleza on Tuesday.

Ivory Coast finished third in Group C and Lamouchi said: “My contract comes to an end at this World Cup and there will be no epilogue and you can understand well as to why.

“It is logical as we did not do well at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations or at the World Cup finals.”

Lamouchi, a former France international, revealed his disappointment at the loss against Greece but did not criticise the way they won the game.

“I have put a lot of time and effort into the past two years, but unfortunately my story with Cote d’Ivoire ends this evening,” he said.

“The outcome is a cruel one but the Greeks did not steal this victory.

“I am very disappointed and sad, and also for the players and the Ivorian people. However, my career carries on and there will be other defeats, though I would have liked this adventure to finish in a different fashion.”