Renard Returns to Coach Ivory Coast National Team

The Ivorian Football Federation appointed Frenchman Hervé Renard as the new coach of the Ivory Coast national team, replacing Emerse Fae, via its official social media accounts yesterday. Renard (57) returns to lead the “Elephants” for the second time, having previously held the position between 2014 and 2015, during which he guided the team to victory in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The French manager takes over from Fae, whose contract with the Ivorian Federation was not renewed despite leading the national team to win the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations and reach the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup, marking the country’s best-ever performance in the tournament.

Renard had previously served as interim coach of the Tunisian national team during the 2026 World Cup finals, taking charge after a heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden in the opening match of the “Carthage Eagles,” which led to the dismissal of coach Sabri Lamouchi. During that brief period, Renard oversaw two matches, both ending in defeat: 4-0 against Japan and 3-1 against the Netherlands.