Herve Renard is the new national coach of the French women’s soccer team. The 54-year-old succeeds Corinne Diacre, who was sacked following a revolt by her players earlier this month. According to the association, the Frenchman’s contract is valid until August 2024 – so it includes this year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20 to August 20) and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Former international Diacre had been national coach at Les Bleues since 2017. However, she was under increasing pressure after several top players declared they would not be available for the World Cup because of her management style. France will start their World Cup against Jamaica on July 23 in Sydney. Last year’s semi-finalist at the European Championship is a possible knockout round opponent for Germany’s national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg in the summer.
Renard resigned as coach of the Saudi Arabia men’s national team earlier this week. With the “Green Falcons” he caused a sensation at the World Cup in Qatar by beating eventual world champions Argentina. He won the Africa Cup of Nations with the men from Zambia (2012) and the Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire/2015).
