French tactician Hervé Renard has reportedly set his asking price at $125,000 per month to become the new head coach of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles. This development comes as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) continues its search for a permanent replacement for Jose Peseiro, who left the position earlier this year.
Renard, 55, brings a wealth of experience to the table, particularly in African football. His coaching journey in Africa began in 2008 with Zambia, where he had two separate stints. He led the Zambian team to a historic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory in 2012, their first-ever continental title.
In 2015, Renard achieved another remarkable feat by guiding Ivory Coast to AFCON glory, making him the first coach to win the tournament with two different nations. His success in African football continued with Morocco, whom he led to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, ending the country’s 20-year absence from the global stage.
Most recently, Renard made headlines by leading Saudi Arabia to a shocking 2-1 victory over eventual champions Argentina in the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He then took charge of the French women’s national team, guiding them to the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Frenchman’s salary demand reflects his pedigree and success rate, particularly in African football. However, it remains to be seen whether the NFF will meet his financial expectations, given the federation’s history of disputes over coaches’ salaries.
If appointed, Renard would be tasked with qualifying the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and improving Nigeria’s performance in the upcoming AFCON tournaments. His track record suggests he could be the right man to harness Nigeria’s abundant football talent and bring success to the three-time African champions.
As negotiations continue, football fans in Nigeria and across Africa will be keenly watching to see if Renard will indeed become the next man to lead one of the continent’s footballing powerhouses.
