Herve Renard returns as Ivory Coast coach
PARIS: Herve Renard, who led Ivory Coast to 2015 Africa Cup of Nations glory, has returned for a second spell as coach, the Ivorian football federation (FIF) announced on Tuesday. The 57-year-old Frenchman replaces Emerse Fae, who was not retained despite guiding The Elephants to the AFCON title in 2024. Fae also took the Ivorians into the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in June, losing 2-1 to Norway in the last 32. Renard had the thankless task of being hired as Tunisia coach after they lost their opening World Cup group match 5-1 to Sweden, before overseeing two more heavy defeats by Japan and the Netherlands. He has plenty of experience in African football and also coached Zambia to an emotional triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012. Renard has also had spells at Morocco, Ghana and Angola. He was in charge of Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup where they beat eventual champions Argentina in the group stage. Renard took charge of the Saudis again in 2024 but was relieved of his duties before this year’s World Cup. His first task back with Ivory Coast will be their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana in September. The finals are being co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.