Stielike back with Ivory Coast for one match only

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ABIDJAN, March 7 - Uli Stielike will return as coach of the Ivory Coast but has only been given a one-month contract, the country's soccer federation said on Saturday.

The German, who missed the recent African Nations Cup finals because of the illness and subsequent death of his son, failed to secure a longer deal after several days of talks with soccer president Jacques Anouma in Abidjan.

Stielike will return to his post until April 15 and will be in charge for he March 26 international against Tunisia in Paris.

"The proposition his contract be extended to April 15 was accepted with good heart," the Ivorian soccer federation said in a statement

The 53-year-old former Real Madrid midfielder's previous deal ended last month after the Nations Cup finals.

Stielike missed the contest after his 23-year-old son Michael fell ill on the eve of the tournament in Ghana. He died on Feb. 1 from a lung disorder.

The Ivory Coast reached the Nations Cup semi-finals under Stielike's replacement, Frenchman Gerard Gili, who has since returned to his previous role as coach of the country's Olympic team.

Stielike, a former Swiss national team coach, first took charge of the Ivorians in October 2006 and has won seven of his 11 matches in charge. (Reporting by Mark Gleeson, editing by Martin Petty)

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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