Bubista Leaves Blue Sharks For Club Job As Ivory Coast Bring Back Renard

According to Ireporter Online, the 56-year-old coach has signed a two-year contract with the Moroccan side, bringing an end to his successful spell with Cape Verde, where he helped the national team achieve some of the biggest milestones in its football history.

Bubista guided Cape Verde to impressive performances on the international stage, including reaching the last 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team pushed eventual runners-up Argentina into extra time before suffering a 3-2 defeat. He also led the Blue Sharks to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Portuguese-speaking nation’s former coach joins RS Berkane as a replacement for Moin Chaabani, who recently departed the club after taking over the Tunisia national team job.

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast have confirmed the return of French tactician Herve Renard as head coach for a second spell after deciding not to renew Emerse Fae’s contract.

Renard, who previously led the Elephants to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations title, returns to a team he guided to continental glory. He remains one of the few coaches to have won the AFCON trophy twice, having also achieved the feat with Zambia in 2012.

Ivory Coast opted against extending Fae’s deal after his contract expired at the end of July. Fae had taken charge midway through the 2023 AFCON tournament and guided the host nation to a dramatic title victory after an impressive run in the knockout stages.

Renard’s return marks another chapter in a coaching career that has seen him manage Morocco, Saudi Arabia, France’s women’s national team, and Tunisia. The duration of his new contract with Ivory Coast has not been disclosed, but he is expected to arrive in Abidjan soon to begin his second tenure.

The coaching changes come amid a wider shake-up among African national teams following the World Cup. Several countries, including Algeria, South Africa, Senegal, and Tunisia, have already made changes in their technical departments.

Algeria parted ways with Vladimir Petkovic after their World Cup elimination, while South Africa are searching for a new coach following Hugo Broos’ departure. Senegal also dismissed Pape Thiaw after their early exit from the tournament.

Tunisia have since appointed Moin Chaabani as their new head coach, while Ghana are still considering the future of Carlos Queiroz following the Black Stars’ World Cup disappointment.

The series of managerial changes highlights a period of major transition for African football nations as they prepare for upcoming international competitions.