BY ISSAH OLEGOR
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has officially appointed experienced French tactician Hervé Renard as the new head coach of the Côte d’Ivoire senior national team, bringing back one of the country’s most successful managers as the Elephants prepare for the next chapter of international football.
Renard’s appointment marks a remarkable homecoming more than a decade after he guided Côte d’Ivoire to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations title in Equatorial Guinea, ending the nation’s 23-year wait for continental glory.
His return signals the federation’s determination to maintain the country’s position among Africa’s football elite while building towards the 2027 AFCON and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The 57-year-old replaces Emerse Faé, whose contract expired on July 31, 2026, after the Ivorian Football Federation decided not to renew his deal despite overseeing one of the most successful periods in the country’s recent football history.
Faé, who took charge during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Côte d’Ivoire, inspired the Elephants to a memorable triumph on home soil after stepping in midway through the tournament. He later guided the team through the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign before his tenure came to an end.
In announcing the appointment, the federation said Renard’s return reflects its ambition to build on the recent progress of the national team while pursuing greater success on both the African and global stages.
Renard remains one of the most accomplished coaches in African football. Besides leading Côte d’Ivoire to AFCON glory in 2015, he famously guided Zambia to their historic Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2012, becoming the first coach to win the tournament with two different countries.
His coaching résumé also includes spells with Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the French women’s national team, earning him a reputation as one of the continent’s most respected tacticians.
The Ivorian Football Federation believes his vast international experience, tactical discipline and deep understanding of African football make him the ideal candidate to lead the Elephants into a new competitive cycle.
According to the federation, Renard will work closely with the governing body and the national team’s technical department to sustain Côte d’Ivoire’s recent progress while strengthening the squad for future competitions.
The Frenchman is expected to arrive in Abidjan in the coming days before being officially unveiled at a press conference, with the federation set to announce the date of his presentation.
