vory Coast have appointed former Zambia national team coach Herve Renard as their new head coach. The Frenchman has signed a two-year deal to replace Sabri Lamouchi, who stepped down following the Elephants’ disappointing 2014 World Cup campaign in Brazil. The 45-year-old was selected from a three-man shortlist that also included Portuguese former Sporting and Benfica coach Jose Manuel De Jesus and ex-Rennes coach Frederic Antonetti. Renard is tasked with delivering silverware to a nation that has become frustrated by the failure of their top European stars to produce a cohesive and successful national team for several years now. Renard failed to save Sochaux from relegation in the French Ligue 1 last season but he led the Chipolopolo of Zambia to win the African Nations Cup in 2012 hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
