The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has officially announced the appointment of French coach Hervé Renard as the new head coach of the Côte d’Ivoire senior men’s national team, marking his return to the Elephants more than a decade after guiding the country to Africa Cup of Nations glory.

In an official statement released on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the federation confirmed that Renard has been named head coach of the national team as part of its commitment to maintaining the progress achieved in recent years while pursuing greater success on both the African and international stages.

“The appointment reflects the Federation’s desire to consolidate the gains made by the national team in recent years while continuing to pursue the ambitions set for Ivorian football on the African and international scenes,” the statement said.

Renard, who led Côte d’Ivoire to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations title, returns with the task of preparing the Elephants for upcoming international competitions and ensuring the team remains competitive at the highest level.

The FIF highlighted the 57-year-old’s extensive experience in elite football, his deep understanding of African football, and his strong connection with Ivorian football as key reasons behind his appointment.

The federation expressed confidence that Renard will continue the national team’s positive momentum in close collaboration with the federation’s leadership and technical structures.

The French tactician is expected to arrive in Abidjan in the coming days to officially begin his duties. The federation also confirmed that he will be formally introduced to the media and the public during a press conference, with the date, venue and time to be announced later.

Renard’s return comes after one of the most successful spells in Ivorian football history. He famously guided the Elephants to their second AFCON title in Equatorial Guinea in 2015, ending a 23-year wait for continental glory after defeating Ghana on penalties in the final.

Since then, Renard has built an impressive coaching résumé, managing Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the France women’s national team, while establishing himself as one of the most successful coaches in African football.

The Ivorian Football Federation concluded its statement by welcoming Renard back and wishing him every success in what it described as an important mission in service of the nation and Ivorian football.

His appointment is expected to usher in a new chapter for the reigning African champions as they continue preparations for their upcoming international assignments under the guidance of one of the continent’s most decorated coaches.