Ivory Coast boss set to step down

The Ivorians have failed to make it to the second stage in Germany after defeats by Argentina and Holland.

And Michel said: "The Ivorian Soccer Federation did not ask to extend my contract, so for me it finishes with the match against the Serbians.

"We could have done something great here but it turned out otherwise."

The 57-year-old Frenchman said he would do all he could to win his last match.

But he insisted that his team were the victims of some poor refereeing decisions in the decisive 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Dutch on Friday.

"This is a World Cup of regrets, especially with regard to the refereeing," he added.

"I watched the game against the Netherlands again last night and saw some very obvious mistakes.

"I am under the impression there is a favouritism for larger countries over smaller ones when it comes to refereeing."

Asked whether he would consider coaching another African team, Michel said: "I have given quite a lot to Africa already."

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