Negotiations between the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and Herve Renard for the role of the national team’s head coach are reportedly in the final stages.
According to sources within the Egyptian Federation, only financial details need to be ironed out before an official announcement.
This move comes on the heels of Egypt’s disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where they exited in the round of 16 after a series of draws in the group stage.
The current coach, Rui Vitoria, is expected to part ways with the team as the Egyptian Football Association seeks a fresh direction.
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Al-Shabab is said to be in talks with Vitoria for a six-month training stint, marking a potential transition for the coach.
Ivory Coast fail to get Herve Renard on loan
Meanwhile, discussions between hosts Ivory Coast and Renard failed to secure his services, as the French coach expressed to Canal Plus.
Despite Ivory Coast’s setback in their final group match, suffering a 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, their hopes for advancement were kept alive. While they initially sought Hervé Renard, currently coaching France’s Women’s National Team, for a loan move, negotiations failed to reach an agreement.
“The negotiations did not end favorably, it’s because it wasn’t necessary. I would have liked to but destiny decided otherwise,” revealed Hervé Renard.
However, the Elephants have managed to overcome the group stage challenge and find themselves in the semi-finals, still in contention for the Africa Cup of Nations title.
Herve Renard’s African legacy
Renard, who led Ivory Coast to AFCON glory in 2015, is also rumoured to be a target for Ghana. However, reports suggest that the former Saudi Arabia coach’s wage demands may pose a challenge for the four-time champions.
Before his success with Ivory Coast, the 55-year-old achieved historic success by guiding Zambia to their first AFCON trophy in 2013, defeating Ivory Coast in the final.
He also qualified Morocco for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, their first since 1998. However, he was not satisfied with his team’s performance during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. The Atlas Lions were shocked by Benin in the round of 16 leading to the French tactician’s resignation.
As Egypt looks to rebuild after their AFCON disappointment, the appointment of Hervé Renard could bring a fresh perspective and experience to the national team.