The Ivory Coast’s attempt to secure a loan for French women’s team coach Hervé Renard for the remainder of the Africa Cup of Nations has been unsuccessful.
Renard, who led Ivory Coast to the African champion title in 2015, was sought after by the country’s football federation following the dismissal of Jean-Louis Gasset on Wednesday.
Discussions with the French federation regarding a potential loan for Renard failed to reach an agreement on Thursday. Renard, expressing his disappointment, stated, “The negotiations did not end favorably; it’s because it wasn’t necessary. I would have liked to, but destiny decided otherwise” in an interview with Canal Plus.
Despite Ivory Coast’s loss to Equatorial Guinea on Monday, they still had a chance to qualify as one of the four best third-place finishers. The team eventually qualified for the round of 16 on Wednesday, following Gasset’s dismissal, thanks to Morocco’s victory over Zambia.
Interim coach Emerse Faé is expected to remain in post for the upcoming match against reigning champions Senegal on Monday in Yamoussoukro. The Ivorian Football Federation has not provided public comments on the matter.
Renard, popular in Ivory Coast for leading the country to its second African Cup title, had previously achieved success with Zambia in 2012. After a surprising World Cup victory with Saudi Arabia, he took charge of the French women’s team last year.
