French manager, Harve Renard, is definitely not a new name when it comes to African football.
The 48-year-old is the only coach that has managed to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with two different countries – Zambia (2012) and Cote d’Ivoire (2015).
And the gaffer is in line to win a hat-trick of AFCON’s this time with Morocco after eliminating his former side, the Elephants, who were the defending champions.
With that being said, here are four facts you should know about the tactician.
- Sucked at football
Just like some successful coaches, Renard didn’t have the best of playing careers. He endured an uneventful career which spanned almost two decades playing for clubs like AS Cannes which presently is in the sixth tier of French football before moving to Stade de Vallauris and SC Draguignan. His not-too-impressive portfolio meant he never got a look to play for his country at senior level.
- Has a lucky white shirt
Having a first glimpse at Renard, one could understandably mistake the charismatic tactician for a model due to his elegant dress sense. Crisp, well-tailored, he is recognised for his attire – always the same shirt – on the touchlines of the AFCON.
“Truth is, I have so many white shirts and jeans. Just look properly,” he told Goal in 2013.
“They seem the same but they really are anything but that. And there is no superstitious story behind my preference in clothes. Journalists only create those.”
- Flopped coaching clubs
Renard has not been able to replicate his success outside the shores of the continent at club level. In 2014, he left French side, Sochaux, after they were relegated from the Ligue 1. Two years later, he was sacked as coach of Lille after picking up only 13 points in 13 league games.
- Has already surpassed his mentor
Renard owes his meteoric rise to well-travelled Frenchman, Claude Le Roy. He served as understudy to his older compatriot on three occasions before taking charge of Zambia. Now Renard with two AFCON titles has achieved more than his boss who led Cameroon to the 1988 crown.
“I have to thank God every day to have met him. He is a great man, a second father to me,” said the gaffer whose Atlas Lions’ team defeated Le Roy’s Togo at the 2017 AFCON.
