Renard ‘courted’ by other teams

Zambia’s coach Herve Renard says he’s been approached to manage several other African teams. The Frenchman, who took over the Chipolopolo in May 2008, admits he would like to coach at this year’s World Cup in June. Zambia were knocked out of the quarter finals of the Africa Cup of Nations by World Cup qualifiers Nigeria. “I have had discussions with people that are interested in me but that does not mean I have signed,” Renard said. Renard has been linked with a move away from Zambia after ending the country’s 14-year wait to qualify to the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup finals. Zambia’s president Rupiah Banda has backed the coach to stay on but Renard has not ruled out the possibility of not renewing his contract in May. The 40-year-old, who is believed to be among favourites to take over from Nigeria’s under-fire coach Shaibu Amodu, confirmed to BBC Sport he has received offers from top African sides. “Everybody has to relax. But it’s a big honour for me to see my name linked to one of the best teams in Africa,” the Frenchman continued. But Renard refused to name which countries had approached him. “It’s impossible for me to tell you which countries have approached me because everything was done in confidence.” “I have to respect the deal I have with the people I have been talking to, he said” Renard has said coaching at the World Cup is “a dream for all the coaches in the world.” Ends