Ivory Coast has turned to a familiar face to lead its national team, with French coach Hervé Renard making a return to the Elephants’ dugout as the country prepares for another African Cup of Nations campaign.
The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed Renard’s appointment after deciding not to renew the contract of Emerse Faé, despite the team’s historic progress at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Faé guided Ivory Coast to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in four appearances, but the team’s journey ended in the round of 32 after a defeat to Norway, prompting the federation to make a coaching change.
Renard, who previously delivered continental glory to Ivory Coast in 2015, has been handed the responsibility of rebuilding the team and challenging for another Africa Cup of Nations title.
The 57-year-old coach returns with a strong African pedigree, having also guided Zambia to the AFCON trophy in 2012. A third continental title would place him among the most successful coaches in African football history.
Before his return to Ivory Coast, Renard was brought in as an emergency replacement for Tunisia during the 2026 World Cup after the North African side suffered a heavy opening defeat to Sweden.
However, he was unable to turn around Tunisia’s campaign, as the team went on to lose against Japan and the Netherlands and became the only African representative at the tournament not to reach the round of 32.
Renard’s coaching career has also included spells with Angola, Morocco and Saudi Arabia, where he helped the team qualify for the 2026 World Cup before leaving his position shortly before the tournament.
He previously managed the French women’s national team at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The Frenchman’s immediate task will be preparing Ivory Coast for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where the Elephants face a crucial opening fixture against West African rivals Ghana before taking on Somalia in Group C.
With the next AFCON tournament set to be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, Renard will be aiming to repeat the success of his previous Ivory Coast tenure and deliver another major trophy to the country.
