Forgotten Premier League flop Emerse Fae has been handed the task of reviving the Ivory Coast's AFCON campaign.
Reading paid a then club record £2.5million for the Nantes midfielder in 2007.
However, Fae made just 11 appearances as Steve Coppell's Royals were relegated in 2008.
He returned to France with Nice that year after starting just six times for the Berkshire side.
Fae has recently worked as the Ivory Coast's assistant manager - but has been given the top job after Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked with the Elephants on the brink of AFCON elimination.
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However, Morocco's 1-0 win over Zambia on Wednesday kept the hosts in the tournament - and they will take on holders Senegal on Monday.
Fae, 40, won 41 caps for the west African country.
He now hopes to profit from their miracle reprieve.
"We were really disappointed with our own results, and afraid of not progressing in our home tournament," he said.
"But we have got through thanks to others, and have to remain humble.
"Expectations weighed heavily on us, but now there is less weight on our shoulders.
"We must focus on Senegal. They are a good side, and we must repay our fans."
Nantes-born Fae hung up his boots in 2012 after problems with veins in his legs.
The Elephants have since submitted a LOAN offer to bring in France Women's national team coach Hervé Renard on loan for the rest of the tournament.
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Renard, 55, shot to fame with Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup and led Ivory Coast when they last won Afcon in 2015.
However, negotiations with the French Federation broke down on Thursday.
He told broadcaster Canal Plus: "The negotiations did not finish favourably, it's because it shouldn't have been.
"I'd have loved it but fate chose otherwise."
