adminABIDJAN. – Frenchman Herve Renard has been appointed coach of Côte d’Ivoire.
Renard replaces Sabri Lamouchi, who left after the World Cup, and returns to international coaching after nine months with French club Sochaux. The 45-year-old had two spells as Zambia coach and led them to the African Cup of Nations title in 2012. His success on the continent helped him to get the Elephants job ahead of compatriot Frederic Antonetti and Portuguese coach Manuel Jose. Côte d’Ivoire Football Federation president Augustin Sidy Diallo told the governing body’s official website: “We were looking for a loyal, able coach who had already proved himself.”
The first task for Renard, who has been given a two-year contract, will be to qualify Côte d’Ivoire for next year’s Nations Cup in Morocco.
It was against his new team that Renard enjoyed his greatest triumph as it was Ivory Coast who were beaten on penalties by Zambia in the Nations Cup final two years ago. -BBC Sport.
Online Reporter