Will Hervé Renard be on the Ivory Coast bench on Monday for the round of 16 of the African Cup of Nations against Senegal? This Thursday evening, the probabilities of this scenario exist. As revealed by L’Équipe during the day, the Ivorian Federation, organizer of the competition, launched an appeal for help to the coach who won the CAN in 2015 with the Elephants in order to come to the aid of a selection that was in bad shape after three matches (1 victory, 2 defeats) . While Ivory Coast is still qualified, it even thanked its coach, another Frenchman, Jean-Louis Gasset.
The time has now come for a rescue operation to restore the image of the Elephants, who will face Senegal, among the big favorites of the tournament, Monday evening (9 p.m.) in Yamoussoukro. Idriss Diallo, president of the Ivorian Federation, has set his sights on Hervé Renard and made it known to his French counterpart, Philippe Diallo, this Thursday. Because the main obstacle is the following: Hervé Renard is already coach of the French women’s team, under contract until the end of August 2024, at the end of the Paris Olympic Games.
Could the FFF accept a loan from its coach? Nothing stops him. Hervé Renard is not insensitive to the interests of the Elephants and the possibility of winning a second CAN with Ivory Coast. A freelance period of a few days, which could last until February 11, the date of the final, is planned. According to our information, the FFF has not closed the door. This Thursday evening, discussions exist within the body, where Jean-Michel Aulas, head of women’s football development, was present alongside President Philippe Diallo for a working meeting with the main sponsor of women’s D1.
The calendar and the returned image raise questions
Contacted, the FFF and Hervé Renard did not wish to react publicly for the time being. The latter, coach of the Bleues since the end of March 2023, signed until August 2024 with the France team. It is certain that he will not extend the adventure beyond, whatever the Olympic scenario. Two risks, however, of this possible freelance in Ivory Coast: the calendar and the image sent back to the players of the French team and to the public.
In the event of Côte d’Ivoire’s victory in “its” African Cup of Nations, Hervé Renard will not return to France until February 12. That week, however, he had to announce a list of players called up for the Final Four of the Women’s Nations League, from February 23 to 28, with a first match played on the 23rd in Lyon against Germany. The final or small final will take place on the 28th in Spain or the Netherlands. A competition highlighted by the coach and the FFF since it could be the first official title in the history of the Bleues, a few months before the Olympic Games.
So comes the second question: the message sent. A coach in office, female or male, accepting a freelance to coach another selection, the situation would be unprecedented. How will Hervé Renard be able to manage an Ivory Coast in crisis and observe the next three weeks of competition for his players, in the championship or in the Women’s Champions League? The 55-year-old coach seems to believe that this is possible. One of his mentors, Claude Leroy, during an interview given to “Parisien” during the day also told us: “It’s possible. There may be a 3 week loan. »
