Fox: Not afraid to go to the top

Renard is dreaming. Zambia coach, the French will attempt Sunday to offer a first continental title to Chipolopolo, opposed in Sunday's final of the African Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast in Libreville. The occasion also the former assistant to Claude Le Roy to make a name, who was much criticized.

Hervé, tell us about your famous white shirts ...
(Laughs) In 2010, Angola, I had a white shirt for the first group match. We had a draw against Tunisia. The second game against Cameroon, I had a blue one. We lost. Now I take more risks!

You were not seen celebrating qualifying for the final against Ghana, why?
You know, I was principal of that selection (Claude Le Roy, between 2007 and 2008, ed.) Excluding the two Serbs, I knew all the staff. They were with me at the time. That's why I did not jump for joy. I have respect for them, I could not celebrate, while friends were sad. When I started in 2000, nobody knew my name. My career has had ups and downs: it's not always easy when you do not have a great name. But that's what made me stronger. When the referee whistled the end of the match, I thought of these moments of difficulty. I was really happy.

We feel the bitterness in your words ...
Humanly, I think is a good person. There are critics who touched me deeply. I misjudged the first time. I'm white, I have long hair and, as soon as I see, you think I have a big head. I hope when they know me, you think differently. What I'd like to do Sunday night, when we have won the CAN, it's going to a place where there will not many people take a good cappuccino, to rethink everything that has happened and I have a great time to live, not to have 500 people who lead me.

How do you live these criticisms?
I was criticized a lot, it's true. I heard many things, but I tried to stay out of it. I do not read for me. It's like that. Today, it is easy for you to say I am, with Francois Zahoui, one of the best coaches in Africa. This is the opposite of what has been said before. Say this is a revenge for me compared to the commentators, observers, this is not exactly the truth.But that's life. I'm a winner, a fighter. And if I see someone who does not respect me, I can be terrible with him. For me, it must be right all the time, respect the rules.

"We are not surprised to be there"

Will you change something in the preparation of the final?
No. Why? We will as usual. It will not change anything, it protects the players. This is not because we play the Ivory Coast that will change. We will face as Sudan, Equatorial Guinea and Senegal. We had to be ready January 21, we'll finish the job on Feb. 12.

Nobody was waiting for you at this stage of the competition. Is he now has a different pressure on your shoulders?
We, people believed in us. It did not stop repeating that the goal was to increase in 2010 (semifinals, ed.) Now we took a step further and we are rewarded for our work.We are not surprised to be there and it does not change our behavior, our philosophy.The only thing there is in our mind is that this final, we want to win.

What are your weapons to beat the Ivory Coast?
Our weapon is our determination. It is not afraid of anyone. We have great respect for the Ivorians, we know the quality of players you see every week on television. It would be a sacred accomplishment! But we know what we are capable. We are faced with a mountain, but we have so much determination that is not afraid to go to the top. When you lose a cup final in Africa, it is very hard and we did not want to be in this situation, that people are saying, "Well done anyway". That's what put me most angry.

"I do not exclude the idea of ​​returning to France"

This team of Côte d'Ivoire do not care?
Everyone is able to cite the names of Ivorians. Drogba, Kalou, Gervinho, Yaya Toure ...But if you look only names we now withdraws. Facing such players can only make us stronger.

But, with eight goals scored and none conceded, the Elephants are one of the best teams in the tray ...
Listening to you, it is impossible to beat! As well stay home then ... (Laughs) You know, it is possible to lose an ADC with the best team and best defense. It is possible to lose a CAN without conceding a goal.

A victory Sunday will change does something for you?
When I started my coaching career in Draguignan, at 29 years, CFA 2, I had a cleaning business. I was cleaning the public areas of some homes and go out the garbage too. I did that for eight years. I got up every morning, five days a week, at 3 am. Compared to all this, compared to what some people live, the game against the Ivory Coast is easy ...It was the best thing to happen in my life. And when I'm in a hotel somewhere, I think of those people who work and those who sometimes despise them because I have been in their place.

Do you see yourself returning to France one day?
I do not exclude the idea of ​​returning. I would be crazy to say no, but I will not go to any conditions. What I saw now, with Zambia, I'm not sure you can live in Ligue 1. My goal is to have emotions through football. I'm doing my job to win games like the one proposed on Sunday to keep a fantastic memory for the rest of my life.