Key Takeaways:
- Herve Renard has been appointed as Ivory Coast coach for a second tenure
- Renard recently managed Tunisia at the World Cup after stepping in as an emergency replacement
- Ivory Coast will begin their AFCON qualifying campaign next month against Ghana, followed by a tie with Somalia
Renard’s Reappointment and Coaching Background
On Tuesday, the Ivorian football federation confirmed Herve Renard’s return as head coach for the national team. The Frenchman previously guided the Elephants to victory in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, marking a significant achievement in his coaching career.
Renard’s latest position comes after a brief spell in charge of Tunisia during the 2026 World Cup. He stepped in after Tunisia suffered a 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening game, but despite his appointment, Tunisia were unable to recover, recording further losses to Japan and the Netherlands, while conceding a combined total of seven additional goals.
🚨 OFFICIEL : Hervé Renard est de retour à la tête de la Côte d'Ivoire ! 🐘
🇨🇮 Sacré champion d'Afrique avec les Éléphants en 2015, le technicien français retrouve la sélection ivoirienne avec pour objectif de préparer les prochaines grandes échéances internationales. pic.twitter.com/zu6sgT2t2I
— Prime Video Sport France (@PVSportFR) August 4, 2026
Transition from Emerse Fae and Recent World Cup Performances
Renard succeeds Emerse Fae, whose contract was not renewed following the World Cup. Under Fae’s guidance, the Ivorians reached the knockout stages for the first time in their history, only to be eliminated by Norway in the last 32. In contrast, Tunisia, under Renard’s brief leadership, were the only one of 10 African teams at the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States not to advance to the Round of 32.
Renard’s Extensive Coaching Record
Beyond his stints with Ivory Coast and Tunisia, the 57-year-old Renard has built an extensive international coaching résumé, leading national teams such as Zambia – with whom he claimed the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 – as well as Angola, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia. Notably, he also managed France’s women’s team at the Paris Olympics two years ago.
Road Ahead: AFCON Ambitions
As Renard embarks on his second spell with the Ivorians, his objective will be to secure a third Africa Cup of Nations triumph next year. The tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Ivory Coast are set to launch their qualifying journey next month, beginning with a crucial fixture at home against Ghana, another World Cup participant and regional rival. Four days later, the Elephants will continue their Group C campaign against Somalia.
