2026 World Cup: Senegal in crisis after elimination, Herve Renard contacted to replace Pape Thiaw
Senegal leave this World Cup battered and bruised. After defeats in the group stage against France (1-3) and Norway (2-3), the Teranga Lions scraped through to the round of 32 as one of the best third-place finishers. But against Belgium, they suffered a major collapse. Leading 0-2 until the 85th minute, the Senegalese watched it all slip away before losing in extra time (2-3). That implosion changed everything behind the scenes at the federation.
Pape Thiaw is under real pressure. A target for criticism since the start of the tournament, the Senegal coach could be shown the door in the coming days. In fact, his departure appears to have been on the table well before the end of the World Cup: according to Sport News Africa, Thiaw had threatened to walk away if his contract was not signed before the tournament. In the end, he only put pen to paper on his new deal five hours before the opening game against Norway. A crisis situation that forced the federation to look elsewhere.
It was against that tense backdrop that Herve Renard was reportedly contacted by the Senegalese Federation around the start of the World Cup. The French coach, who knows African football inside out after winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia and Ivory Coast, fits the bill as a man capable of getting a struggling side back on track. His name is now being linked heavily with the Teranga Lions job.
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Renard, the perfect fit to get the Teranga Lions firing again
Herve Renard has not been in charge of Saudi Arabia for several months and is currently free. His experience in African football, his ability to unite a squad and deliver quick results at international level make him the natural candidate for a job like Senegal’s. He knows the demands of the continent and understands the pressure that comes with leading one of Africa’s big national teams.
Senegal have a talented squad, with players turning out for some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Sadio Mane, nearing the end of his international career but still around, plus a gifted new generation, deserve a coach who can take them beyond the round of 32. The Senegalese Federation will have to move quickly to prepare for what comes next, especially AFCON 2027. Renard or someone else, the decision should not be far off.
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