The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning coach Herve Renard has taken the decision to resign from the Cote D’Ivoire national team.

It seems that the Frenchman took this decision due to a number of opportunities becoming available for him in his homeland at club level.

Various French media reports suggest that Lille may be a destination for the two-time AFCON champion tactician, as current coach René Girard is on his way out of the club.

Those reports expect Renard to sign a two or three-year deal in the coming days, putting an end to the rumours that have been circulating since the Ivorian victory at the Nations Cup earlier this year.

Former Sochaux coach Renard will likely have Patrice Beaumelle at his side as assistant, if he joins Lille. The 46-year-old leaves The Elephants at a tricky time for the national team, as their first 2017 AFCON qualifier against Gabon is set for June 13.

The Ivorian federation will be pressed to find a strong replacement as soon as possible, perhaps relying on a local coach to act as a stand-in for the time being.

The Frenchman became the first coach to win the Nations Cup with two different national teams, taking the title in 2012 with Zambia and then this year’s continental flagship competition in Equatorial Guinea with the Ivorians.

The 46-year-old is the current CAF Coach of the Year following his success with Cote D’Ivoire at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), beating Ghana in the final thanks to a tense and entertaining penalty shootout.