French manager Hervé Renard is close to taking over as head coach of the Ivory Coast national team, marking a potential return for one of the most successful managers in the Elephants’ history.
This would mark a second stint for the 57-year-old with the Ivorian side, following his initial spell that yielded one of his career-defining achievements.
Contract Negotiations and Details
According to French outlet Le Parisien, Renard is on the verge of succeeding Emerse Faé, who stepped down following Ivory Coast’s Round of 32 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Norway.
L’Équipe further confirmed that the former France women’s national team boss has selected the Ivory Coast as his next destination, signaling advanced negotiations despite interest from other national teams, most notably Algeria.
Renard is expected to sign a contract extending through the 2030 FIFA World Cup. His primary objectives will center on preparing the squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and securing back-to-back World Cup qualifications.
Renard’s First Stint with the Elephants
Renard’s initial spell with the Ivory Coast began in July 2014 when he replaced Sabri Lamouchi following the team’s group-stage elimination at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
His tenure bore immediate fruit, leading the Elephants to the 2015 AFCON title after a dramatic 9-8 penalty shootout victory against Ghana following a goalless draw. The triumph marked the country’s second continental crown, its first since 1992.
The victory made Renard the first manager to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two different nations, having previously guided Zambia to a historic title in 2012. He subsequently departed Ivory Coast in May 2015 to join Ligue 1 side Lille.
Coaching Career and Recent Stints
Renard built his reputation in African football with Zambia across two spells, climaxing in their 2012 AFCON triumph. His club and international career includes stints with Angola, USM Alger, Sochaux, and Lille.
Between 2016 and 2019, he managed Morocco, guiding the Atlas Lions to the 2018 World Cup—their first appearance in 20 years—before resigning following an early exit at AFCON 2019 against Benin.
He then took charge of Saudi Arabia, orchestrating a historic 2-1 victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He later departed to lead the France Women’s National Team, taking them to the quarter-finals of both the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Renard returned to Saudi Arabia in October 2024, successfully guiding the nation to 2026 World Cup qualification before being dismissed two months prior to the tournament. Most recently, he took charge of Tunisia during the 2026 World Cup following the sudden departure of Sabri Lamouchi; his interim tenure lasted just two group-stage matches before his departure following back-to-back defeats.
