Hervé Renard is the only coach to win two Africa Cup of Nations titles
In short: From humble beginnings as a cleaner to becoming a global coaching nomad, Hervé Renard has carved a unique path through international football. He is the first manager to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries and has navigated both men's and women's World Cup tournaments.
Born in 1968 in Aix-les-Bains, France, Hervé Renard’s journey to the pinnacle of international management was unconventional. After a playing career as a defender that spanned from 1983 to 1998, he transitioned into coaching, initially balancing his duties with a cleaning business. His early coaching path included stints in China, England, Vietnam, and France, often working alongside mentor Claude Le Roy. However, it was in Africa where Renard truly established his reputation as a tactical force.
Renard’s defining achievement remains his historic success at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He first led Zambia to victory in 2012, a poignant triumph dedicated to the 18 players who perished in a 1993 plane crash near the tournament's final venue in Gabon. He repeated this feat with the Ivory Coast in 2015, becoming the first coach to win the competition with two different nations. His career has been defined by a restless, global approach, including managing Morocco at the 2018 World Cup and leading Saudi Arabia to a famous 2–1 victory over Argentina in 2022.
His career is marked by a series of rapid transitions and high-stakes appointments. In 2023, he made history as the second manager to coach at both men's and women's World Cups, and the first to win a match in both tournaments within the same year. His tenure in Saudi Arabia saw him become the nation's most successful foreign-born manager by win count. Despite frequent moves—including a brief 18-day stint with Tunisia in 2026 and a return to the Ivory Coast—Renard remains a singular figure in modern football, known for his ability to adapt to diverse footballing cultures across the globe.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Hervé Renard
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