The Ivorian Football Federation announced on Tuesday the return of Hervé Renard at the head of the Elephants, a few days after the end of the mandate of Émerse Faé, whose contract was not renewed. At 57, the French coach returns to a selection that he had already managed between 2014 and 2015.

Published on: 08/04/2026 - 5:03 p.m. Modified on: 08/04/2026 - 5:12 p.m.

Frenchman Hervé Renard has been named coach of Ivory Coast to succeed Émerse Faé, the Ivorian football team announced on Tuesday August 4 on its social networks.

Aged 57, Hervé Renard, who briefly led Tunisia during the 2026 World Cup after arriving in full competition, had already held this position between 2014 and 2015, with an African Cup of Nations in 2015.

Renard, whose arrival was announced on Tuesday by the newspaper Le Parisien, takes over from Faé, not renewed by the Ivorian Football Federation despite winning the African Cup of Nations in 2024 and qualifying for the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, a first in the country's history.

The man who led numerous selections during his career took charge of Tunisia following the heavy setback against Sweden (5-1) during the Carthage Eagles' first match at the World Cup, a rout which cost Sabri Lamouchi his place. He officiated twice, with two defeats, against Japan (4-0) and the Netherlands (3-1).

Great popularity

Free from any contract after this short interim, Hervé Renard returned eleven years later to the Ivory Coast bench, where he enjoyed great popularity, won thanks to the CAN 2015 coronation with Yaya Touré's generation, after nearly 25 years of scarcity.

Already winner of the CAN three years earlier with Zambia, the technician has built a solid reputation on the African continent where he has gained numerous experiences at the head of national teams (Ghana, Angola, Morocco, etc.).

However, in recent years he has had more mixed experiences, notably at the head of the Saudi selection, from which he was sacked in April despite qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, or on the bench of the French women's team, with which he reached the quarters of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Hervé Renard is expected in Abidjan in the coming days to officially take up his duties, said the Ivorian federation.

With AFP

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