Hervé Renard

Hervé Renard
Born	Hervé Jean-Marie Roger Renard (1968-09-30) September 30, 1968 Aix-les-Bains, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Occupation(s)	Football coach, former player
Years active	1983–present (player 1983–1998)
Known for	First coach to win Africa Cup of Nations with two different nations; head coach of Saudi Arabia national team and France women's national team
Notable work	Coaching Zambian (2012) and Ivorian (2015) Africa Cup of Nations winning teams; managing Morocco at 2018 FIFA World Cup; managing Saudi Arabia at 2022 FIFA World Cup; managing France women's team at 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

Hervé Jean-Marie Roger Renard (born 30 September 1968) is a French football coach and former player who currently serves as the head coach of the Saudi Arabian national team.

Renard gained prominence by managing the Zambian national side, leading them to victory at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. He replicated this success with the Ivorian national team by winning the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, becoming the first coach to secure the tournament title with two separate nations. He also guided Morocco during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Between 2019 and 2023, Renard was in charge of Saudi Arabia before transitioning to manage the French women's team ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. In October 2024, he resumed his role as Saudi Arabia’s head coach for a second period.

Early life

Born on 30 September 1968 in Aix-les-Bains, located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Hervé Jean-Marie Roger Renard began his journey into football in this French region.

Playing career

Renard's playing career spanned from 1983 to 1998, where he operated primarily as a defender for French clubs including Cannes, Stade de Vallauris, and Draguignan. Upon retiring from professional play, he undertook cleaning work while continuing to train with Draguignan, eventually founding his own cleaning enterprise.

Early years

Renard’s coaching career commenced at Draguignan. Between 2002 and 2003, he served as assistant coach at Chinese club Shanghai Cosco under Claude Le Roy. In 2004, he took charge of English club Cambridge United, initially joining alongside Le Roy as part of the coaching staff. Later that year, he briefly managed Vietnamese side Nam Dinh before departing after a few months. From 2005 to 2007, Renard was at the helm of Cherbourg. Following this tenure, he reunited with Le Roy as assistant coach for the Ghanaian national team.

Zambia

In May 2008, Renard was appointed manager of the Zambian national team. At the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, he guided Zambia to their first quarterfinal appearance in 14 years. He departed from this position in April 2010 with two months left on his contract. Shortly thereafter, he assumed control of the Angolan national side but resigned in October 2010, succeeded by Zeca Amaral.

USM Alger

On 21 January 2011, Renard accepted the role of head coach at Algerian club USM Alger.

Second spell with Zambia

Renard returned to lead Zambia on a one-year deal starting 22 October 2011. Under his guidance, Zambia won their inaugural AFCON title in 2012, dedicating the triumph to the memory of 18 players who perished in a plane crash near the final’s venue in 1993. In May 2012, Zambian sports minister Chishimba Kambwili anticipated contract renewal talks with Renard.

Following Zambia’s group stage elimination at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Renard took responsibility and criticized the CAF for denying Zambia, as reigning champions, participation at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. His contract was terminated by the Football Association of Zambia in October 2013 ahead of his move to French club Sochaux.

Sochaux

Renard was appointed manager of Ligue 1 side Sochaux on 7 October 2013. By April 2014, he was linked with the vacant Morocco national team position. Facing relegation threats in May 2014, Sochaux ultimately descended divisions and Renard departed shortly thereafter. By July that year, he was shortlisted for the Ivory Coast coaching vacancy.

Ivory Coast

In July 2014, Renard took over as manager of the Ivorian national squad. He led Ivory Coast during the well-organized 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, culminating in winning the tournament and becoming the first coach to claim AFCON titles with two different nations.

Lille

In May 2015, Renard assumed managerial duties at French club Lille. However, after achieving only thirteen points from thirteen league matches, he was dismissed on 11 November 2015.

Morocco

Renard was named head coach of the Moroccan national side in February 2016. By October that year, his name surfaced among candidates for Algeria’s vacant coaching job.

In November 2017, Renard successfully qualified Morocco for their first World Cup since 1998. Later that month, he extended his contract through to 2022. Morocco’s unexpected exit from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in July led Renard to accept accountability and subsequently resign on 15 July 2019.

Saudi Arabia

Renard became Saudi Arabia’s first French manager upon his appointment in July 2019. His debut official match occurred during September’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification. By March 2022, he secured Saudi Arabia’s qualification for the World Cup and set a record as their foreign-born coach with most victories (18). At the tournament itself, Renard masterminded a stunning upset over pre-tournament favorites Argentina with a 2–1 win—one of World Cup history’s most surprising results. Despite subsequent defeats against Poland and Mexico, which led to group stage elimination, his final match was a friendly loss (1–2) against Bolivia before being succeeded by Roberto Mancini.

France women

In March 2023, following Corinne Diacre’s dismissal, Renard emerged as a candidate for head coach of the France women's national football team. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation approved his resignation on 29 March allowing him to take charge of France’s women’s squad under a contract extending through August 2024. His responsibilities included preparing for the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup amid significant player transitions and internal management challenges.

Renard made history as the first coach to manage teams at both men's and women's senior World Cups within a single year and became only the second manager after Englishman John Herdman to lead squads at both tournaments. On 29 July 2023, he achieved his inaugural win across both men’s and women’s World Cups when France defeated Brazil during group play. France exited in quarter-finals after losing on penalties to Australia.

In January 2024, Ivory Coast sought to temporarily appoint Renard for their postponed 2024 AFCON, but this request was denied by the French Football Federation. It was later announced that Renard would conclude his tenure following the 2024 Summer Olympics, with assistant Laurent Bonadei slated as his successor.

Return to Saudi Arabia

On 26 October 2024, Renard was reinstated as head coach of Saudi Arabia after Roberto Mancini’s dismissal amid ongoing qualification matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round.

Managerial statistics

Managerial record by club and period

Team	Start	End	Record
			G	W	D	L	Win %
Cambridge United	1 January 2004	12 May 2004
Cherbourg	1 July 2005	30 June 2007
Zambia	7 May 2008	6 April 2010
Angola	8 April 2010	6 October 2010
USM Alger	18 January 2011	23 October 2011
Zambia	24 October 2011	6 October 2013
Sochaux	7 October 2013	24 May 2014
Ivory Coast	29 June 2014	25 May 2015
Lille OSC	26 May 2015	11 November 2015 Template:WDL
Morocco national football team	16 February 2016	21 July 2019 Template:WDL
Saudi Arabia national football team	29 July 2019	28 March 2023 Template:WDL
France women's national football team	30 March 2023	6 August 2024 Template:WDL
Saudi Arabia	26 October 2024	Present Template:WDL
Total Template:WDLtot

Personal life

Renard is partnered with Viviane Dièye, widow of fellow coach Bruno Metsu. His maternal lineage traces back to Polish ancestry.

Managerial achievements

Zambia

• Winner: Africa Cup of Nations (2012)
• Champion: COSAFA Cup (2013)

Ivory Coast

• Winner: Africa Cup of Nations (2015)

Individual awards

• Recipient: CAF Coach of the Year – awarded in 2012, 2015, and again in 2018

External links

• Official profile on the French Football Federation website