AFCON 2023: Ivory Coast deny approach for Herve Renard as interim manager

The host nation will face defending champions in the Round of 16

Ivory Coast, the hosts for Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) will not be signing Hervé Renard as their new manager, “on loan” from the France women’s team.

Despite dismissing fellow countryman Jean-Louis Gasset on Wednesday, Renard led Ivory Coast towards the Africa Cup title in 2015, and the nation’s football organisation was eager to have him return for another go.

However, negotiations on a potential financial arrangement for Renard with the French federation ended without a deal on Thursday.

“The negotiations did not finish favourably, it’s because it shouldn’t have been,” the 55-year-old Renard told broadcaster Canal Plus. “I’d have loved it but fate chose otherwise.”

Ivory Coast’s 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea in their last group match on Monday prevented them from securing automatic entry for the knockout stage, but they were still able to proceed as one of the top four third-place finishers.

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Morocco’s victory over Zambia on Wednesday finally allowed Ivory Coast to advance to the round of 16—following Gasset’s dismissal.

Emerse Faé, the interim coach, will probably continue in charge for Monday’s match at Yamoussoukro against Senegal, the reigning champion.

The Ivorian Football Federation have not issued any public remarks regarding the situation.

Ivory Coast are still fond of Renard for his leadership in the nation’s second Africa Cup victory. After leading Zambia to the trophy in 2012, it was his second championship.

The previous year, he took charge of the France women’s team after leading Saudi Arabia to an unexpected World Cup victory over eventual champion Argentina.

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