Frenchman Herve Renard has been named head coach of the Ivorian national team on a two-year renewable contract.
The 45-year old replaces compatriot Sabri Lamouchi, who quit his post following the Elephants unimpressive campaign at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where they failed to go past the group stage.
He got the nod ahead of fellow Frenchman Frederic Antonetti and Portuguese Manuel Jose, who made the three-man shortlist from an initial list of 37 applicants.
At a press conference on Thursday in Abidjan, Augustin Sidy Diallo, president of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) said Renard was the ideal choice to carry on with the objectives of the team.
“We were looking for a competent, loyal and who has already proved something,” said Diallo.
He is expected to begin his new role in the next few days and his immediate task will be the group phase of the qualifiers for the Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Morocco 2015, which begins in September.
Renard, who was in charge of French Ligue 1 side, Sochaux during the second halve of last season earned global plaudits after guiding Zambia to win the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, incidentally beating the Ivorians 8-7 on penalties.
A defender during his playing days, his first job in Africa was serving as an Assistant to his mentor, Claude Le Roy, then in charge of Ghana between 2006 and 2008. He also had stints with Angola and Algerian side, USM Alger.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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