Free after Tunisia, Renard courted by Algeria, Senegal and Ivory Coast

Hervé Renard will not manage Tunisia beyond the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. Called in urgently after the Eagles of Carthage’s opening rout against Sweden (5-1) and the sacking of Sabri Lamouchi, the French coach officiated for two matches before announcing he would not continue the adventure, despite the Tunisian Federation’s wish to keep him.

Renard will not remain long without a bench. His name is circulating insistently with three African federations: Algeria, Senegal and Ivory Coast. The Algerian path appears to be the hottest. Journalist Nabil Djellit confirmed that the Frenchman was “highly appreciated” by Fennecs supporters and had already been the first choice of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) following the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Renard also knows the country, having coached USM Alger early in his career.

The door is opening concretely in Algeria since the Fennecs’ elimination in the round of 16 of the World Cup against Switzerland. Vladimir Petkovic, who had extended his contract until 2028 just before the tournament, sees his future seriously compromised. According to information from journalist Romain Molina, the FAF decided to part ways with the Bosnian coach.

Renard himself had been sidelined from the Saudi Arabia national team post shortly before the start of the 2026 World Cup, which made him available at the precise moment Tunisia was seeking an emergency replacement. The sequence illustrates the chaotic trajectory of a coach whose standing remains high on the African continent, backed by his two Africa Cup of Nations titles with Zambia (2012) and Ivory Coast (2015).

Which of the three contenders will win out? No official decision has been announced at this stage.