Hervé Renard is the latest name to pop on the radar as the NFF have started developing cold feet about appointing Finidi George as the new Super Eagles coach.
Many Nigerians seem unimpressed with the performance of the Super Eagles in the two recent friendlies against Ghana and Mali, where they beat the Black Stars (2-1) and lost to the Eagles (2-1).
Despite applications coming from several notable names, the NFF seem ready to play the waiting game, hoping they can draw it out till the contract of Hervé Renard runs out with the France female national team.
Hervé Renard has an impressive record and a deep understanding of African football. He will be suitable for the Super Eagles if the NFF can stump up the cash for his services.
So, who is Hervé Renard? This piece delves into the nitty-gritty of a man with immense success in the African game.
Biography of Hervé Renard
Photo by Icon Sport
Hervé Renard was born on 30 September 1968 and is a French professional football coach and former player who is the manager of the France women’s national team.
Renard previously managed the Zambia national team and won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
He also won the competition in 2015 with the Ivory Coast, becoming the first coach to win two Africa Cup of Nations with different teams.
He was named the CAF Coach of the Year in 2012, 2015, and 2018.
Playing Career
Not many know that Hervé Renard was a former footballer. He played as a defender and featured for three clubs before his retirement.
He started his playing career in 1983 with French club AS Cannes. He had 87 caps for the club before joining Stade de Vallauris in 1991.
The Frenchman played 105 games with two goals for Stade de Vallauris before leaving in 1997.
He played one more season from 1997–1998 for SC Draguignan before hanging up the boots.
Managerial career
It is as a manager that Hervé Renard made his name. He has coached several African teams and won a few honours that have etched his name in African folklore.
The first coaching job for Hervé Renard was for his former club SC Draguignan from 1999-2001.
He moved from SC Draguignan to Cambridge United, then joined Nam Dinh in 2004 before spending two years with AS Cherbourg.
Hervé Renard had his first stint of international management in 2008 with the Chipolopolo of Zambia from 2008–2010.
He spent a year with Angola, then moved to USM Alger in 2011. He returned to Zambia that year and won his first trophy. Hervé Renard led Zambia to win AFCON 2012.
🔝⚽️ The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) reportedly eyes foreign coach, Herve Renard as new Super Eagles head coach.
A Yes or No ? pic.twitter.com/dJf3fUgNaE
— A.F Adewale (@Akewusolaf) March 29, 2024
After two years, he left for Sochaux before snagging a contract with the Elephants of Ivory Coast in 2014. He led them to win AFCON 2015.
There were further stints with the Atlas Lions of Morocco (2016–2019) and Saudi Arabia (2019–2023).
Hervé Renard is currently with the France female national team with a contract that expires after the Olympic games.
NFF seems ready to wait for his contract to expire before announcing a new coach for the Super Eagles.
Hervé Renard Net Worth
The former Saudi Arabia coach has a net worth of $5 million.
Hervé Renard has made money from coaching contracts, bonuses, and sponsorships.
The 55-year-old tactician earned a £1.1 million annual salary as the head of the Saudi Arabia national football team.
L’information qui circule aujourd’hui concernant un possible intérêt de la FRMF pour Hervé Renard est un pur cas d’école : les agents d’Hervé Renard utilisent les médias (dont l’Equipe) à sa cause pour mettre pression sur la FRMF.
Tout simplement. pic.twitter.com/v4mSZDBECc
— Actu Mocro (@ActuMocro) March 29, 2024
He led them to a surprise victory over Argentina in the 2022 FIFA World in Qatar. Following the win over the Albiceleste, he received a jaw-dropping bonus from the Saudi Prince.
Hervé Renard also has sponsorship deals with Adidas and Hublot.
Hervé Renard’s wife and children
Hervé Renard is married to Viviane Dieye. She owns a business in Morocco, running a sports store in a Casablanca shopping centre.
Dieye is Senegalese and the former wife of the late Bruno Metsu, who was the coach of Senegal in their World Cup campaign in 2002.
Metsu died of cancer in 2013.
Dieye has three children from her previous marriage. She is the mother to Enzo, Noah and Maeva. Dieye is also the stepmother to a fourth child, Remy, from one of Metsu’s previous relationships.
The couple fell in love after Metsu’s passing when Hervé Renard was in charge of Morocco.
Hervé Renard also has three children from his previous marriage. He has two daughters named Candide Renard (Actress) and Audrey Renard, with a son named Kevin Renard (footballer).
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