A year after taking charge of Saudi Arabia’s national team, Hervé Renard has revealed his desire to return to African football.
Speaking in an interview with L’Équipe, the 57-year-old coach reflected on his journey in football and hinted that he could soon make a comeback to the continent where he achieved his greatest successes.
“For now, I’m focused on our next match against Iraq on October 14. But I know I’ll return to Africa one day. Maybe they’ll call me back, or maybe destiny will lead me there. I hope to manage a national team at the 2034 World Cup,” Renard said with a smile.
Renard remains one of the most respected coaches in African football history. He led Zambia to a memorable AFCON title in 2012 and repeated the feat with Ivory Coast in 2015. He also guided Morocco to the 2018 World Cup, further strengthening his reputation on the continent.
The Frenchman later made headlines at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when his Saudi Arabia team defeated eventual champions Argentina 2-1 — a victory he described as “the match of the century” for Saudi football.
Now, as he looks ahead, Renard admits that Africa still holds a special place in his heart. Whether fate leads him back remains uncertain, but one thing is sure — his story with African football is not yet over.