By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Hervé Renard is on the verge of making a sensational return as head coach of the Côte d’Ivoire national team, more than a decade after leading the Elephants to Africa Cup of Nations glory.
Multiple reports in France indicate that the 57-year-old has reached advanced negotiations with the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) and is expected to be officially unveiled in the coming days, following the departure of Emerse Faé.
Renard is no stranger to Ivorian football. Appointed in 2014, the French tactician guided Côte d’Ivoire to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations title in Equatorial Guinea, ending the country’s 23-year wait for continental success after defeating Ghana on penalties in the final. The triumph made him the first coach in history to win the AFCON with two different nations, having previously lifted the trophy with Zambia in 2012.
His return comes at a crucial time for the Elephants, who are preparing for the next Africa Cup of Nations and looking to build on recent successes after winning the 2023 AFCON under Emerse Faé and qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Renard has built a reputation as one of Africa’s most accomplished international coaches. Beyond his achievements with Zambia and Côte d’Ivoire, he has managed Morocco at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup—where they famously defeated eventual champions Argentina—and also coached the France women’s national team before returning to Saudi Arabia.
His previous spell with Côte d’Ivoire lasted less than a year before he departed to take charge of French side Lille. Despite the brief tenure, his success in delivering the AFCON title cemented his place among the country’s most celebrated coaches.
An official announcement from the Ivorian Football Federation is expected soon if the final details of the agreement are completed.
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