Hervé Renard has returned as head coach of the Ivory Coast national football team 11 years after his previous tenure. The Ivorian Football Federation announced the appointment of the 57-year-old French manager on social media on Tuesday following reports earlier that day by French newspaper Le Parisien.
Renard succeeds Émerse Faé, whose contract was not renewed by the federation. Faé was let go despite leading Ivory Coast to victory at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations and guiding the team to the World Cup round of 16, a historic first for the nation.
Return of a championship manager
Renard previously led Ivory Coast between 2014 and 2015, guiding a team featuring Yaya Touré to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations title. That victory ended a title drought of nearly 25 years and earned Renard immense popularity across the country.
Before his return to Ivory Coast, Renard briefly managed Tunisia during the 2026 World Cup. He joined Tunisia during the tournament after Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed following a 5-1 loss to Sweden in the opening match for the Carthage Eagles.
Renard oversaw two World Cup matches for Tunisia, which ended in a 4-0 defeat against Japan and a 3-1 loss against the Netherlands. He became a free agent after his brief spell ended.
Coaching history across Africa
Born in Aix-les-Bains, Renard had a modest playing career before beginning his managerial path in 1998 with Draguignan in National 3. He later built a strong reputation across African football through roles managing Ghana, Angola, and Morocco.
Renard also won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia three years prior to his 2015 triumph with Ivory Coast. His recent career includes mixed results, such as coaching the France women's national team to the quarter-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
He also managed the Saudi Arabia men's national team, securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup before being dismissed from his position in April.
