Like most professional sports (other than football), I don't think being a soccer coach for a big club or country really makes a difference either way. It's all about how much talent you have, who's healthy and who's on form. With that said, go back and look when Ivory Coast announced Sven-Goran Eriksson was their new head coach. I hated the move then and I hate it now since the Elephants are going home early.
Eriksson didn't make obvious tactical or substitution mistakes and he wasn't on the field for his team's lifeless 0-0 opening draw vs. Portugal but I'll still make him the scapegoat for this team because he's never won anything in his life and yet he continues to get cushy jobs (England, Mexico, Ivory Coast and next maybe Fulham).
Ivory Coast
Best Moment: Didier Drogba, the face of the nation, suited up and played even though he broke his arm a few weeks before the tournament. He wasn't up to his usual high-level of play but just the fact that he sacked up and was out there had to be inspiring for the Elephants.
Worst Moment: Getting down 3-1 to Brazil. That game basically would make or break their 2010 World Cup and they never showed up.
Best Result: The win over North Korea, their only three points of the tournament.
Worst Result: I'll go with the opening scoreless draw with Portugal. Obviously, as I said the loss to Brazil was more costly but in terms of setting the tone, the match vs. Portugal showed that Ivory Coast was in big trouble. They failed to get anything started and they seemed to play scared which is never good.
Final Tally: 1 win, 1 tie, 1 loss; 4 goals scored, 3 goals conceded.
Best Player: Midfielder Yaya Toure had a goal and an assist and was a force in the center of the field for all three games. No surprise if you watch him do his thing for Barcelona.
Worst Player: It's not really fair to him since his defense left him out to dry but goalkeeper Boubacar Barry (outstanding name) gave up the three fatal goals to Brazil so he earns this mark.
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