A rival to Vieira in Senegal: Hervé Renard

The head coach race at the Senegal national team is becoming a multi-name affair. As relayed by Senegalese journalist Saikou Seydi, Hervé Renard is among the candidates to replace Pape Thiaw, dismissed following the World Cup disappointment. The French coach's candidacy represents a serious rival to Patrick Vieira, who is viewed as the overwhelming favourite.

The 57-year-old Renard's most recent experience also comes from this World Cup. The French coach took charge of Tunisia on a short-term contract during the tournament after they lost their opening match, but with the Japan and Netherlands games also lost following the Sweden defeat, the Carthage Eagles exited the group stage without a point and that brief spell came to an end.

Nevertheless, Renard's African CV is unique. The Frenchman is the only coach in history to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries: he achieved the impossible with Zambia in 2012 and took Ivory Coast to the summit in 2015. Renard, who guided Morocco to the 2018 World Cup after a 20-year absence, also managed Saudi Arabia across two separate spells with the France women's national team in between.

His ties to Senegal strengthen the story as well. His wife Viviane Dièye is Senegalese — moreover, the widow of Bruno Metsu, the legendary coach who took Senegal to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinal — and Renard owns a house in the country. The French coach's name has twice previously come up for the Senegal job without a move materializing. With federation president Abdoulaye Fall expected to outline the roadmap at Monday's press conference, the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup qualifiers await the incoming coach.

Source: Saikou Seydi
Image: Yahoo Sports