Dave Jones and Giovanni Trapattoni apply for Ivory Coast job

Raymond Domenech, Giovanni Trapattoni and Dave Jones are on a 59-man shortlist to manage Ivory Coast

What do former Cardiff City boss Dave Jones, ex-Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni and old France coach Raymond Domenech have in common?

All like the same formation? No. All like pizza? No. Well maybe. But they have all applied to manage Ivory Coast.

But this is no three-horse race to lead Les Elephants. This is a stampede for the chance to succeed Herve Renard.

The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has 59 applications which it will narrow down to three to interview.

In a bold move, the FIF have published the names of every man to declare interest in the job, including Stephen Keshi, who is still employed by Nigeria having signed a new deal in April.

"The name of the next coach of the Elephants will be known late June-early July," said the FIF in a statement.

Jones, who has not managed since being sacked by Sheffield Wednesday in 2013 is the only Briton on a list which contains 17 French candidates and as many from Italy.

If Jones - yet to manage at international level - is successful, it would prove some progress from his early years in management spent at Stockport County from 1995.

Allen Bula - sacked by Gibraltar in March - has applied, as has Portugal's Paulo Jorge Silva, whose coaching career has not deemed him worthy of even having a Wikipedia page.

Domenech and Trapattoni, who both have managed in multiple World Cups, appear favourites for the role in terms of experience.

A year ago, Trapattoni claimed he was close to being named the Ivorian manager but Renard got the job.

But whoever the new manager is has tough boots to fill as Renard guided Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations in February before joining Lille.