Hervé Renard is set to return as head coach of Ivory Coast, with the Frenchman reportedly close to being appointed for a second spell in charge of the national team.
French newspaper Le Parisien reported on Monday evening that the Ivorian Football Federation has decided to bring Renard back to the “Elephants”, with an official announcement potentially expected within the next 48 hours.
Renard would replace Emerse Faé, who recently stepped down despite overseeing a successful period for Ivory Coast.
Faé led the national team to victory at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations before taking them to the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. The latter achievement represented a historic first for the country.
The decision to bring back Renard would mark a return to familiar territory for the French coach, who previously managed Ivory Coast between July 2014 and May 2015.
During that first spell, Renard took charge of 18 matches, recording nine victories, five draws and four defeats.
His return would also reunite the coach with a national side where he previously achieved one of the biggest successes of his managerial career.
Renard, widely known by the nickname “the Fox”, has a strong record in African football. He first won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 before guiding Ivory Coast to the continental title three years later in 2015.
That success with Ivory Coast came during his previous tenure and helped establish Renard as one of the most successful coaches on the African continent.
The latest reports suggest the Frenchman is now poised to begin a second chapter with the national team.
Renard had reportedly been attracting interest from a number of other national sides before Ivory Coast emerged as the most likely destination. Algeria, South Africa and South Korea were among the teams said to have shown interest in the experienced coach.
However, the opportunity to return to Ivory Coast appears to have moved ahead of those possibilities.
Le Parisien reported that Renard is “tout proche d’un retour sur le banc de la Côte d’Ivoire”, meaning he is very close to returning to the Ivory Coast dugout.
A formal announcement within 48 hours would bring an end to the uncertainty surrounding who will take charge of the Elephants following Faé’s departure.
Faé leaves the position having overseen a period that included continental success and a notable World Cup campaign. Ivory Coast’s progress to the last 16 at the 2026 tournament was described as a historic achievement for the national team.
Renard therefore returns with significant expectations attached to the role.
His previous record with Ivory Coast provides an indication of the level of success he has already achieved with the team. In his first 18 matches, he lost only four times, while nine victories and five draws completed his record.
His wider African record is even more notable, having delivered two Africa Cup of Nations titles with two different countries.
Renard’s first continental triumph came with Zambia in 2012. Three years later, he guided Ivory Coast to the same prize, strengthening his reputation as a coach capable of achieving success at international level in Africa.
The Frenchman’s potential appointment would give him the task of building on the work done under Faé while preparing Ivory Coast for the challenges ahead.
For Renard, it would represent a return to a national team with which he has already enjoyed major success.
For Ivory Coast, his expected appointment would bring back a coach who knows the team, has previously won the Africa Cup of Nations with the country and has extensive experience of international football on the continent.
With an official announcement reportedly possible within the next 48 hours, the Elephants could soon begin a new era under a familiar figure.
