Multiple Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning coach, Hervé Renard has disclosed that he once rejected the chance to coach the Senegal national team.

According to him, he was contacted to take over the Senegal job after stepping down as head coach of the France women’s national team.

Renard, who won AFCON with Zambia in 2012, revealed that he consulted his wife about the offer but his Senegalese wife advised him against accepting the role at that time.

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“Senegal’s national team? They contacted me after I stopped coaching the French women’s side. But my wife told me I shouldn’t accept the offer right now. My wife, who is Senegalese,” he told Radio France International (RFI) in an interview.

However, Renard noted that he is now open to taking over the Teranga Lions if the opportunity arises, as well as coaching any other African team with the potential to compete for trophies.

“One day I’ll go if I’m called. It’s not a dream, but who wouldn’t want to coach the best teams on a continent? If one day I return to coach in Africa (I already own a house in Senegal), I’ll go to a team that is very, very competitive. Otherwise, I’d rather stop coaching than lead a team that isn’t truly competitive,” he added.

Senegal, led by head coach Pape Thiaw, won the 2025 AFCON after beating host nation Morocco 1-0 in extra time to clinch their second title in history.

Read the comment below:

Interesting quote from Renard here re: 🇸🇳 SEN job.

His wife is the widow of ex-SEN coach Bruno Metsu, who took them to 2002 WC QF. She also owns the venue where PSG's Academy train (50km from Dakar).

Problem is that Senegal have no plans to hire a foreign coach anytime soon. pic.twitter.com/ZPNAC0ttaO

— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) February 12, 2026