| Real Name: | Hervé Jean-Marie Roger Renard |
| Birthday: | September 30, 1968 |
| Age: | 57 years old |
| Birthplace: | Aix-les-Bains, France |
| Height: | 184 cm (6’0″) |
| Occupation: | French Professional Football Coach, Former Player |
| Net Worth: | N/A |
| Known For: | Winning AFCON with Zambia (2012) and Ivory Coast (2015) |
Hervé Renard holds a distinction that no other football coach on the planet can claim: he’s won the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries. That’s not a stat that gets shared around casually. He lifted the trophy with Zambia in 2012 and did it again with Ivory Coast in 2015, cementing himself as one of the most decorated coaches in African football history.
But Renard’s story goes well beyond those two trophies. Born in Aix-les-Bains, France, he spent 15 years as a journeyman defender before realizing his future was on the sidelines, not the pitch. From lower-league French clubs to the Saudi Arabian national team, his career has spanned continents and broken expectations at every turn. He’s also one of the few men to have coached a women’s national team at a FIFA World Cup, taking charge of France’s women at the 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
He’s recognizable, too. That signature open-shirt celebration on the touchline has become iconic in football circles — a visual shorthand for passion and intensity in coaching.
Early Life and Background
Where Did Hervé Renard Grow Up?
Hervé Jean-Marie Roger Renard was born on September 30, 1968, in Aix-les-Bains, a spa town in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. The town sits on the eastern shore of Lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France. It’s not exactly a football hotbed, but Renard’s passion for the sport developed early.
He gravitated toward football as a teenager, and by 15, he’d already begun playing at a competitive level. Growing up in this part of France meant limited pathways to professional football compared to Paris or Marseille, but Renard’s determination pushed him forward regardless.
Playing Career
What Clubs Did Hervé Renard Play For?
Renard’s playing career stretched from 1983 to 1998. He spent those 15 years as a defender, working his way through several French lower-division clubs. His most notable stints were with AS Cannes, Stade de Vallauris, and SC Draguignan — all based in the south of France.
He wasn’t a star. Renard has been candid about that. He never played at the highest levels of French football, and his career as a player didn’t produce headlines. But those years on the pitch taught him something that many top-flight players don’t always grasp: how the game works from the ground up. He understood structure, discipline, and the grind of weekly competition in ways that would define his coaching approach later.
By 1998, it was clear his playing days were behind him, and Renard shifted his focus entirely to coaching.
Coaching Career
How Did Hervé Renard Start Coaching?
Renard’s first head coaching role came at SC Draguignan between 1999 and 2001. It wasn’t glamorous — Draguignan competed in the French lower divisions — but it gave him a foundation. He learned to manage a squad, make tactical decisions under pressure, and build relationships with players who didn’t have the luxury of massive contracts or guaranteed futures.
From there, he caught the attention of veteran French coach Claude Le Roy, who became his mentor. Renard served as Le Roy’s assistant in China (Shanghai Cosmo) and later followed him to several African appointments. This period proved transformative. Africa became Renard’s second home, and Le Roy’s guidance gave him the tools and connections to launch his own managerial career on the continent.
How Did He Win AFCON With Zambia in 2012?
Renard’s first stint with Zambia didn’t last long. He was appointed in 2008 but left after a short period. When he returned for a second spell, though, the results were historic.
The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations was held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Zambia weren’t among the favorites — not even close. But Renard built a disciplined, hard-working squad that believed in collective effort over individual brilliance. The final against Ivory Coast, loaded with stars like Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré, went to a penalty shootout. Zambia won it.
The victory held deep emotional weight. The tournament was played in Gabon, near the site of the 1993 plane crash that killed 18 members of the Zambian national team. Renard understood that significance and used it to galvanize his players. It remains one of the most stirring stories in AFCON history.
How Did He Win AFCON Again With Ivory Coast in 2015?
After leaving Zambia, Renard took charge of Ivory Coast ahead of the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea. This time, he had a squad packed with talent — Yaya Touré, Wilfried Bony, Gervinho, and Serge Aurier among them.
The final against Ghana went to penalties once again, and once again Renard’s team came out on top. With that victory, he became the first and still only coach in history to win AFCON with two different nations. That record stands unchallenged.
Between those two tournaments, Renard also had stints coaching Sochaux in Ligue 1 and the Moroccan national team, where he qualified Morocco for their first World Cup in 20 years (Russia 2018). His record across African and European football speaks for itself.
What’s His Role With Saudi Arabia?
Renard was first appointed as Saudi Arabia’s head coach before the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Under his leadership, Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history — a 2-1 win over Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the group stage. The entire country celebrated, and Renard’s sideline reactions went viral.
After the World Cup, he moved on to coach the French women’s national team. But Saudi Arabia came calling again. Following Roberto Mancini’s departure in October 2024, Renard was reappointed as the Saudi men’s national team coach. He’s currently in charge, tasked with building the squad toward future competitions.
French Women’s National Team
Why Did Renard Coach the Women’s Team?
In March 2023, Renard was appointed head coach of the French women’s national team ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. It was an unusual move — a high-profile men’s coach crossing over to the women’s game at the international level.
Renard brought the same intensity and organizational discipline that defined his men’s teams. France performed well at the tournament, and his presence raised the visibility of the women’s game in France. His willingness to take the role signaled something broader about how seriously he takes football regardless of gender distinctions.
Personal Life
Does Hervé Renard Have Family in Football?
Renard’s personal life stays relatively private, but two family connections are worth noting. His son Kevin Renard has ties to football, and Candide Renard is also a known family member connected to his public life.
Outside of football, Renard’s identity is deeply intertwined with the sport. He doesn’t chase endorsements or tabloid attention. The open-shirt celebrations and animated touchline behavior are as close to a personal brand as he gets — and they’re genuine rather than calculated.
Net Worth
How Much Is Hervé Renard Worth?
There’s no verified figure for Hervé Renard’s net worth. Coaching salaries in African football, even at the national team level, don’t compare to European club wages. His Saudi Arabia contract likely represents the most lucrative period of his career financially, given the Kingdom’s heavy investment in football. But specific numbers haven’t been publicly disclosed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hervé Renard the only coach to win AFCON with two different countries?
Yes. Renard won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015. No other coach in the tournament’s history has achieved this, making it one of the most unique records in international football.
How old is Hervé Renard?
Hervé Renard is 57 years old. He was born on September 30, 1968, in Aix-les-Bains, France.
What team does Hervé Renard currently coach?
Renard currently coaches the Saudi Arabia national football team. He was reappointed in October 2024 after Roberto Mancini’s departure.
Did Hervé Renard coach at the FIFA World Cup?
Yes. He coached Morocco at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Saudi Arabia famously defeated Argentina 2-1 in the group stage. He also coached the French women’s national team at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Why is Hervé Renard always seen with an open shirt?
Renard’s unbuttoned white shirt on the touchline has become his trademark. It’s not a planned look — it’s a byproduct of his high-energy coaching style. He gets so animated during matches that the shirt just ends up that way. It’s become an iconic part of his public image in football.
