The Zambia Football Association has announced that coach of the national team, Herve Renard, has been released to take charge of French side FC Socheaux.

Renard, who began his second spell in charge of the Chipolopolo in October 2011, led the team to the African Cup of Nations title just four months later. But the country was unable to defend its title in 2013, having lost in the group stage which consists of eventual winner, Nigeria and the beaten finalist, Burkina-Faso.

The team also crashed out of the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, losing the single group ticket to Ghana.

Meanwhile, Zambia have installed Patrice Beaumelle as Renard's interim replacement.

Beaumelle, who has been working as assistant coach, will begin his time in charge with a friendly match against Brazil in Beijing next on 15 October.

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) said in a statement:

"Herve Renard has been released from the job of national coach of the Zambian national football team.

"He has been offered a wonderful opportunity at FC Sochaux in the top league in France... FAZ and Herve have consulted and it has been agreed not to stand in his way.

"It is a compliment for a coach working in Africa to be head-hunted by a top European club. It makes us proud to be able to take ownership of Herve's rise as a successful international coach.

"FAZ wishes to thank Renard for his dedication to duty, hard work, proficiency and wish him well as he takes up his new coaching job."

Renard, 45, first took charge of Zambia in 2008 and he steered them to the quarter-finals of the 2010 Nations Cup - the first time they had reached that stage for 14 years.

Sochaux confirmed on their website that Renard "will become the new coach", taking over from former Senegal international defender Omar Daf, who has been interim coach of the club since the departure of Eric Hely at the end of September.

Renard will reunite with Zambian striker Emmanuel Mayuka, who is on loan from Southampton in English Premier League.