Ivory Coast is a nation built to win trophies – New coach Herve Renard

Ivory Coast new head coach Herve Renard has set sights on winning laurels with the Elephants after making a return for a second spell.

After parting ways with Emerse Fae, the Ivorian FA has settled on Renard to steer affairs as the team gears up for impending qualifiers and tournaments.

The experienced French tactician was presented on Thursday, marking the start of a new chapter for one of Africa’s most successful football nations.

At 57, Renard returns to a familiar environment and takes charge of an Ivory Coast side eager to remain among the continent’s elite and challenge for major honours in the years ahead.

Speaking during his unveiling, the Frenchman revealed that his decision to return to African football had been made several months ago and that the opportunity to coach the Elephants once again was one he could not ignore.

“I had decided several months ago to return to Africa. Returning to manage Ivory Coast is an immense honour,” Renard said.

His comments reflected the strong bond he has maintained with African football throughout his coaching career. Renard is widely regarded as one of the most successful coaches in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, having achieved remarkable success with different national teams across the continent.

His return is therefore viewed as a major statement of intent by the Ivorian Football Federation, which is determined to build on recent achievements and ensure the national team remains competitive on the biggest stages.

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding his appointment, Renard made it clear that he is fully aware of the magnitude of the task awaiting him.

The former Morocco, Zambia and Saudi Arabia coach emphasized that Ivory Coast faces significant challenges in the coming years and that extensive work will be required to meet the lofty expectations associated with the national team.

According to Renard, the immediate focus will be preparing the Elephants for the next two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, competitions that he believes will demand commitment, discipline and continuous improvement from both players and staff.

“We have major objectives ahead of us and a huge amount of work to do ahead of the next two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. The expectations of Ivorian supporters are immense, as always.”

The French coach acknowledged the pressure that comes with leading a football powerhouse such as Ivory Coast, where supporters expect the team to challenge for silverware in every major competition.

For Renard, those expectations are not a burden but rather a reflection of the country’s rich football heritage and winning culture.

“Ivory Coast is a nation built to win trophies. We must set high standards for ourselves every day in order to achieve the best possible results,” he added.

Those words are likely to resonate strongly with Ivorian fans, who have long viewed the national team as one of Africa’s leading football forces.

Renard’s return also brings back a coach with a proven record of success on the continent. Throughout his managerial career, he has earned a reputation for building highly competitive teams capable of excelling in major tournaments.

His achievements include guiding Zambia to a historic Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2012 before leading Ivory Coast to continental glory three years later. Those accomplishments cemented his status as one of the most respected coaches in African football history.

Beyond his tactical expertise, Renard is renowned for his motivational skills and ability to unite squads around a common objective. These qualities are expected to play a crucial role as he seeks to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level.

His appointment comes at a time when Ivory Coast possesses a talented generation of players featuring in some of Europe’s top leagues. The challenge for Renard will be transforming that individual talent into a cohesive and successful team capable of delivering silverware.

With preparations for future AFCON tournaments already underway, the Frenchman is expected to begin assessing his squad and implementing his vision immediately.

As Hervé Renard embarks on his second spell in charge, one message was clear from his unveiling: the ambition remains unchanged. Ivory Coast intends to compete for trophies, and the French coach is determined to ensure the Elephants continue to live up to their reputation as one of African football’s most formidable nations.