Hosts Ivory Coast have been unable to secure French women’s team coach Hervé Renard on loan for the remaining matches of the Africa Cup of Nations. Renard, who guided Ivory Coast to the African title in 2015, was a sought-after candidate for another stint after the dismissal of Jean-Louis Gasset on Wednesday.

However, discussions with the French federation regarding a potential loan for Renard concluded without an agreement on Thursday.

Hervé Renard, 55, expressed his feelings about the situation, saying, “The negotiations did not end favorably; it’s because it wasn’t necessary. I would have liked to, but destiny decided otherwise,” in a statement to Canal Plus.

Despite a 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea in their final group match on Monday, Ivory Coast still had a chance to qualify as one of the four best third-place finishers. They eventually secured a spot in the round of 16 on Wednesday, following Gasset’s dismissal, thanks to Morocco’s victory over Zambia.

Emerse Faé, the interim coach, is expected to remain in charge for the upcoming match against reigning champions Senegal on Monday in Yamoussoukro.

The Ivorian Football Federation has not publicly commented on the matter.

Renard remains popular in Ivory Coast for leading the country to its second African Cup title. It marked his second title, having previously guided Zambia to victory in 2012. Renard, who orchestrated Saudi Arabia’s surprising World Cup win over eventual champions Argentina, assumed charge of the French women’s team last year.