Herve Renard has resigned as the coach of Ivory Coast, months after winning the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Elephants clinched the 2015 Afcon in Equatorial Guinea in January, which was their second ever African title.
However, the Frenchman confirmed he is leaving the Afcon winners to take up the post French Ligue 1 side, LOSC Lille.
“My adventure with Ivory Coast was exceptional. And I sincerely think that the best moment to end our collaboration is after such a success,” Renard told reporters in Abidjan.
“In all likelihood, I’m going to Lille barring a catastrophe.”
“I hope that my future club will allow me to advance to another level, and I hope, like any self-respecting coach, to one day participate in the European Champions League,” Ivorian Football Federation spokesman, Pierre Gondo, thanked the Frenchman for his services.”We thank Mr Renard for our collaboration, for the work he did at the head of the national team,” said Gondo.”We expressed to him our regret to see this collaboration end so soon.”