Ivory Coast looking to ‘loan’ Hervé Renard until end of AFCON

L’Équipe are reporting that the Ivory Coast are looking to loan Les Bleues manager Hervé Renard until the end of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Ivory Coast advanced to the knockout stages of this year’s AFCON by the skin of their teeth, advancing as one of the best third-place finishers. However, in the wake of the disappointment, Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked mid-tournament after a humbling 4-0 loss against Guinea.

Renard is Ivory Coast’s priority to replace Gasset until the end of the tournament. The former Saudi Arabia manager is currently managing the France women’s national team. However, the Ivory Coast aren’t looking for Renard to break his contract with Les Bleues, which runs until August 2024. Instead, they are looking to loan the Frenchman, which would therefore require the approval of the France Football Federation (FFF).

Contact has already been established between the relevant parties and the FFF, as well as Renard himself, must now give their approval for the loan. Hosts Ivory Coast face Senegal on 29th January.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle