Serey Dié returns to national team as assistant coach for Ivory Coast U23s

The appointment was reported by several Ivorian media outlets on September 15 and 16, 2026, including Supersport CI, 7info, and Pulse Côte d’Ivoire. French coach Sébastien Bannier has taken charge of the U23s, with Serey Dié as part of his staff. This new role marks another step in the former defensive midfielder’s transition to coaching.

Serey Dié’s return comes at a time when several key figures from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations-winning generation are regaining responsibilities within the Elephants’ setup. Boubacar “Copa” Barry has also been announced as the goalkeeping coach for the senior national team, coinciding with the return of Hervé Renard to lead the national team.

For Serey Dié, this development extends a journey he began on the sidelines after his sports retirement. The former international has already worked in a technical capacity at Tanda and is pursuing coaching training related to the CAF B License. Since January 2026, he has been among the former Ivorian internationals engaged in a training program for the CAF B License, alongside his experience on a club bench.

A new chapter after over 60 caps

Serey Dié has worn the Ivorian jersey more than 60 times and was part of the squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015. Known for his commitment as a defensive midfielder, he also played in Europe, notably in Switzerland and Germany, before beginning his transition to coaching roles.

His arrival with the U23s now places him in contact with a generation poised to gradually feed into the senior team. Under the authority of Sébastien Bannier, his role as an assistant is expected to integrate him into the daily work of a youth selection, bringing the profile of a former captain who understands the demands of Ivorian international football.

The reorganization announced this week thus associates two former Africa Cup of Nations champions from 2015 with distinct technical roles: Serey Dié with the U23s and Copa Barry with the goalkeepers of the senior national team.