Renard Returns to Ivory Coast: 42% of Supporters Reject His Appointment

Hervé Renard has been appointed head coach of Ivory Coast for a second term, but his return to lead the Elephants is far from unanimous. According to a survey conducted by Abidjan.net among 1,457 internet users, 41.94% of respondents describe his appointment as a “bad choice”.

The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) decided to part ways with Emerse Faé following Ivory Coast’s elimination in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, a 2-1 defeat to Norway. To replace him, they chose to recall Renard, who has been available since the end of his spell as Tunisia’s head coach.

The French coach is not without credentials with the Elephants: during his first term (2014-2015), he led Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations title. He also has a CAN won with Zambia (2012), which earns him the support of 22.99% of those surveyed, who see him as a “very good choice” because of his experience and his double continental trophy record.

But scepticism dominates. Nearly 29% of respondents describe this recruitment as a “risky choice”, acknowledging the coach’s qualities while doubting the timeliness of his return. Only 6.04% say they trust the federation’s choice without reservation.

Renard will begin his second term next September. The Elephants will face Ghana on 24 September, then Somalia on 29 September, in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. These two opening fixtures will be a first test for the head coach, expected to deliver by an Ivorian public opinion that is clearly divided.