Ivory Coast head coach denies talks to lead Pharaohs

The Ivory Coast’s head coach Herve Renard has shot down claims that he is in discussions with the Egyptian Football Association to lead Egypt’s national team.

Egypt are currently searching for a new coach after they axed their former coach - Shawky Gharib - who did not secure them a place in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, online Super Sport reported.

Although Essam Abdel Fattah, an EFA board member, has revealed in the last few days that Renard is in their shortlist and the he did not mind taking up the new position, the 46-year-old coach denied the claims.

“No one of the Egyptians officials talked with me to take this job,” Renard said told Egyptian TV station CBC. “ Now I have a contract with Ivory Coast and I am focused with the Elephants, but later if they, Egypt, offer me (a deal) I will think about that because Egypt is a very big team and I would like to lead them.”