ABIDJAN, May 22 (Reuters) - Herve Renard has stood down as coach of African Nations Cup winners Ivory Coast to pave the way for a move to Ligue 1 side Lille, the Frenchman announced on Friday.
The 46-year-old led Ivory Coast to only its second African Nations Cup title in Equatorial Guinea in February -- defeating neighbouring Ghana in a dramatic penalty shootout -- just two years after winning the title with unfancied Zambia.
French media reports have heavily linked Renard with a move to Ligue 1 side Lille and he cited a new challenge as the reason for his departure.