Herve Renard has officially left his role with Tunisia this week after their World Cup qualifying struggles, and Zambian fans are immediately thinking of 2012.
That man gave Zambia the first ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy in Libreville, doing so with a young, fearless Chipolopolo, and he left an emotional legacy that still hits different in the country.
*Why the “Bring him back” case is strong*
1. *He knows how to win with Zambia*
Renard took over in 2011 when expectations were low. 8 months later we were AFCON champions. He built a team around belief, discipline, and counter-attacking football. That’s exactly the mentality Zambia has lacked in recent qualifiers.
2. *World Cup pedigree*
He’s the only coach to take both Morocco 2018 and Saudi Arabia 2022 to the World Cup. He beat Argentina with Saudi. He understands CAF qualifying and how to navigate the playoff pressure. If the goal is “first ever World Cup”, he’s one of few African coaches with that blueprint.
3. *Emotional connection*
Players still talk about his man-management. He gets Zambian football culture, the pressure, and how to unite a squad quickly. FAZ wouldn’t need to “sell” him to the fans.
*Why it might not be that simple*
1. *Money*
Renard is one of the highest-paid African coaches. His Tunisia deal was reportedly around $1.2M/year tax free. His Saudi deal was even bigger. FAZ’s current budget is already stretched with local coaches and allowances. Can we sustain that for a 2-year World Cup push?
2. *Timing*
World Cup 2026 qualifiers are already underway. Zambia is in a tough group with Morocco, Tanzania, Niger, Congo, and Eritrea. We’re currently 2nd behind Morocco. Bringing in Renard now means he inherits a campaign mid-stream, with little time to implement his system before the next window in September.
3. *Different Zambia, different expectations*
2012 was a miracle team with little pressure. 2026 Zambia has Patson Daka, Enock Mwepu’s generation, Fashion Sakala, Kings Kangwa. The talent pool is deeper, but so is the scrutiny. Renard’s style is pragmatic, not always pretty. Would fans accept 1-0 wins if the football isn’t “flowing”?
4. *He likes new projects*
Renard has a pattern: short, intense cycles. Zambia 2008-2010, Zambia 2011-2013, Angola, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Saudi, France Women, Tunisia. He rarely stays long. Is FAZ ready for maybe 18 months of Renard and then he leaves again?
*The World Cup math*
To get to 2026, Zambia likely needs to finish top of the group or be one of the 4 best runners-up. That means taking points off Morocco at home, and winning all the “should-win” games. Renard’s experience in North Africa and with underdog teams makes him good at exactly those 6-pointer games.
But he can’t do it alone. He’d need FAZ to give him full control, better friendlies, and fix the administrative issues that have haunted Chipolopolo for years.
*Verdict*
Emotionally? 100% yes. Bring back Herve. The man gave us our greatest football memory.
Practically? FAZ would have to move fast, find the money, and give him a clear mandate: “Qualify us for 2026, nothing else.” If they can do that, he’s probably the best available coach on the market who already loves Zambia.
If not, we risk another “big name” appointment that ends in drama because the structures aren’t there to support him.
What do you think — would you take Renard back even if it meant paying him double what the current coach earns? And who from the 2012 team would you want him to call for the technical bench?
Meanwhile, Zambians have expressed mixed reactions to the suggestion, others supporting while others objecting saying everything have changed.
Others say the country now lacks quality players, hence bringing him back would not work.
Below are some of the reactions:
Wellington Hara
With which players and do we have the resources
Brian Chulu
Even if he had to come…do we have players who have what it takes to be in the national team and play with a passion to make mother Zambia proud…We can engage the best coach in the world but without proper people to work with its all in vain…Its not about the coach its about the players themselves…The Coach only manages players he does not teach talent or skill.
Michael Muyamba
A brilliant idea,what we can do is to ask the government to be deducting k30 from every person working be it in the private sector or government across the all country.
Kinglisto Zwide Silimi
For what he’s moved on beyond zambia. Let us maintain our own local football coaches who able to talk even vanacul language alongside English when issuing instructions to players.
John Njamba
What Zambia needs is investment in football, not a coach.
Robert Hamukale
renard is a good coach so if he says yes he is welcome
Rodgers Sikaonga Sikaonda
Stop thinking backwards,to bring him to Zambia to come and do what
Brian Lukwabakena
It was just a coincidence, let him go.