The German coach left Ivory Coast just before they began their training camp in Kuwait after his son fell into a coma.

Former Egypt coach Gerard Gili has been promoted from the under-23 team to take charge of the one-time African champions in their CAN campaign in Ghana.

Although he won’t show up, FIF chief Heguard Ouattara said they are hopeful Stielike would lead Ivory Coast in the World Cup qualifiers.

"We want to enter into negotiations with him after the Nations Cup," he was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"We want him to take charge during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers."

The 53-year-old Stielike hinted he could return to lead Ivory Coast in the latter stages of CAN, but FIF ruled out that possibility.