Ivorian defender Serge Aurier spoke out concerning the recent resignation of 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning coach Herve Renard from the Cote D’Ivoire national team, revealing his disappointment and sadness at the decision.

The Frenchmen took the decision due to an offer from Ligue 1 club Lille, where he has signed a contract to take over the top flight side.

Former Sochaux coach Renard leaves The Elephants at a tricky time for the national team, as their first 2017 AFCON qualifier against Gabon is set for June 12.

Speaking to Francophone news publication Jeune Afrique, 22-year-old defensive pillar Aurier explained his feelings on the coach’s departure from his national team.

“I am sad because this is a coach who means much to me. He always trusted me even when I was playing little at PSG. The problem is that the federation did nothing to keep him. We were not given any means to work,” he explained.

“Somehow, he was forced to make this decision. He managed to qualify Ivory Coast for the CAN (Africa Cup of Nations) while it was not easy,” Aurier added.

“We worked like crazy in Dubai to prepare the final phase, we won and finally, it seems that there are people in Ivory Coast who think more of their own interests,” said the Paris Saint-Germain player.

The 46-year-old Frenchman became the first coach to win the Nations Cup with two different national teams, taking the title in 2012 with Zambia and then this year’s continental flagship competition in Equatorial Guinea with the Ivorians, beating Ghana in the final thanks to a tense and entertaining penalty shootout.