The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has officially reappointed Hervé Renard as head coach of the national team, marking the French tactician’s return to the sidelines of the Elephants more than a decade after guiding the country to continental glory.
Renard, who famously led the Ivory Coast to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, returns with the task of building on the team’s recent successes and preparing them for upcoming international competitions, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 AFCON.
The 57-year-old coach is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most successful football managers, having won the AFCON twice with two different nations—Zambia in 2012 and the Ivory Coast in 2015. His achievements have earned him a reputation as a specialist in managing African national teams.
The federation expressed confidence that Renard’s wealth of experience, tactical expertise, and familiarity with Ivorian football will help the Elephants maintain their status as one of Africa’s leading football nations.
Renard replaces the previous coaching setup as the federation seeks to strengthen the team’s technical direction ahead of a busy international calendar.
Speaking after his appointment, Renard expressed his delight at returning to a country where he enjoyed one of the greatest moments of his coaching career. He pledged to work tirelessly with the players, technical staff, and football authorities to achieve new milestones for the national team.
His return has been warmly welcomed by many Ivorian football fans, who believe his leadership and winning mentality could help the Elephants remain competitive on both the continental and global stage.
With World Cup qualification and future AFCON ambitions high on the agenda, Renard’s second spell is expected to usher in a new chapter for the former African champions as they aim to build on their rich football legacy.
