Hervé Renard returns to coach Ivory Coast's Elephants

Hervé Renard returns to the helm of the Ivorian national football team, the Elephants, officially appointed by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The French technician, who previously guided the Elephants to an Africa Cup of Nations title in 2015, succeeds Emerse Faé, whose contract expired on July 31, 2026. Renard's mandate is to prepare the team for upcoming international competitions and maintain its standing in African and global football.

The FIF stated the appointment aims to "consolidate the gains made by the Senior National Team in recent years" while pursuing Ivory Coast's ambitions on the continental and international stages. Despite the federation's support, the 57-year-old Renard faces a difficult task. The article notes that managing player egos has historically been a challenge for the team, and Renard must impose rigor and discipline to foster a collective spirit.

Renard, known as "the man in the white shirt," must possess a thick skin to succeed where his predecessor, Faé, ultimately could not. Faé's dismissal is deemed incomprehensible by some observers, given that he led Ivory Coast to their third continental title at the 2024 AFCON, held on home soil. This victory came after a shaky start to the tournament that nearly cost him his job before the knockout stages.

The article suggests that the Ivorian team's success is not solely dependent on coaching changes. Renard, who has previously navigated the team's volatile environment and managed player egos, knows what is at stake. However, his recent coaching experiences, including a mixed tenure with the Saudi national team from which he was dismissed in April despite securing World Cup qualification, indicate potential challenges ahead.

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consolidate the gains made by the Senior National Team in recent years