Herve Renard begins new Cote d’Ivoire era with 2027 Africa Cup of Nations target

Herve Renard has been appointed Cote d’Ivoire manager on a two-year contract, returning to the country where he led the Elephants to victory at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 57-year-old Frenchman replaces Emerse Fae, whose contract was not renewed several weeks after Cote d’Ivoire were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup by Norway, losing 2-1 in the last 32.

Renard’s appointment was confirmed by the Federation Ivoirienne de Football (FIF) on Tuesday evening, bringing him back to a national team he previously managed between July 2014 and May 2015. That first spell was brief but highly successful, ending with Cote d’Ivoire’s second continental title at the tournament staged in Equatorial Guinea.

That side included Kolo Toure, Yaya Toure, Salomon Kalou, Max-Alain Gradel, Copa Barry and Gervinho.

Renard had been linked to possible roles with Senegal and, to a lesser extent, Algeria. Instead, he has agreed to return to Cote d’Ivoire after a period away from African football, apart from a short spell in charge of Tunisia.

He took temporary charge of Tunisia for two matches at the World Cup, with defeats by Japan (4-0) and the Netherlands (3-1). Before that, his coaching career in Africa had included work with Zambia, Angola, USM Alger and Morocco. He has also managed Saudi Arabia and the France women’s national team.

His immediate priority will be to guide the Elephants through qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Cote d’Ivoire are in a qualifying group with Gambia, Somalia and Ghana, with their first two matches scheduled for September against Ghana and Somalia.

Renard was presented to the media on Thursday and said his ambitions included winning trophies. He is targeting success at the next two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, in 2027 and 2028.

The decision to reappoint Renard has been welcomed by Yeo Martial, who managed Cote d’Ivoire to their first continental title in 1992 in Senegal. Martial does not believe Renard’s seven-year absence from African football, excluding his brief time with Tunisia, should count against him.

The former Cote d’Ivoire coach’s view is that the game on the continent has developed during that period. He also believes Renard will return to a country with improved football structures, giving the new manager a stronger platform from which to work.

Renard’s appointment has also received the backing of goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo, who was part of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team under the Frenchman. Gbohouo, now under contract with CO Korhogo in the Ivorian Ligue 1, said the FIF had made the best decision available after choosing not to retain Fae.

The 37-year-old, who won 65 international caps, continued to support Renard’s appointment and its potential to benefit the national team.

Renard has already started work in his new role. He is expected to contact his players and could meet some of them in person over the coming days as the European leagues begin their preparations for the new season.