Ivory Coast's bid to recall AFCON champion Renard for knockout stage denied by France Football

France Women’s national team head coach Herve Renard

Ivory Coast's bid to recall AFCON champion Renard for knockout stage denied by France Football

Faruq Ibrahim 21:26 - 26.01.2024

France Football reject Ivory Coast approach or women's football manager Herve Renard.

Ivory Coast's attempt to rehire their former champion coach, Hervé Renard, has been blocked by the French Football Federation (FFF). This news comes in the wake of the host nation's shocking performance in the tournament, which led to the dismissal of their coach, Jean-Louis Gasset.

Hoping to repeat their 2015 Afcon glory under Renard, they approached the FFF with a proposal to "loan" the coach for the remainder of their campaign. 

This move was spurred by the team's precarious position in the tournament, having only scraped through to the knockout stages as one of the four best third-place finishers.

Their recent 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea, a record defeat for a host nation in Afcon history, saw them fire Gasset and now seek Renard to steer them through the knockout stage of the competition.

FFF's Firm Stance

Despite the emotional appeal, the FFF stood firm in its decision, refusing to release Renard from his current responsibilities as the France women's team coach. 

Renard, under contract with the FFF through the end of the Olympic Games in Paris, is also preparing for a crucial UEFA Women's Nations League semi-final against Germany. The FFF's decision was confirmed by the AFP news agency, leaving Ivory Coast to seek alternative coaching solutions.

Hervé Renard || Eurosports
Hervé Renard || Eurosports

In the interim, former international Emerse Fae, with his background as a player for clubs like Nantes, Reading, and Nice, has stepped in as coach. Fae faces a daunting task as he prepares the team to take on defending champion Senegal in the upcoming match in Yamoussoukro.

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