Hervé Renard returns as Ivory Coast head coach after Tunisia stint

The Ivorian Football Federation has announced the appointment of Frenchman Hervé Renard as head coach of the Ivory Coast national team, marking his return to lead the Elephants almost a decade after guiding them to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations title.

In a statement, the federation said Renard will take charge of the team for upcoming preparations and international competitions, adding: "Hervé Renard, Africa Cup of Nations champion with Ivory Coast in 2015, returns to lead the Elephants, tasked with guiding the national team in preparations and participation in upcoming international tournaments."

The federation explained that the French coach will arrive in Abidjan in the coming days to officially assume his duties, and will be introduced to the media and public at a press conference, the date and location of which will be announced later.

Renard succeeds Emerse Faé, who decided not to renew his contract after leading Ivory Coast to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title and achieving the team's best-ever World Cup performance by reaching the round of 32 at the 2026 tournament before losing to Norway.

Renard returns to the Ivorian national team, having previously coached them from 2014 to 2015, leading them to the Africa Cup of Nations crown.

The French coach most recently led Tunisia, taking over from Sabri Lamouchi from their second match at the 2026 World Cup, but Tunisia exited the tournament in the group stage after defeats to the Netherlands and Japan.

Renard has an extensive coaching record with several national teams, including stints with Zambia, Angola, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, where he famously led the team to a victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.