Hervé Renard in search of success at the head of the Blue

Published on : 30/03/2023 – 22:02

The man of miracles faces a new challenge. A few days after resigning from his position as coach of Saudi Arabia, Hervé Renard was appointed coach of the French women’s team until August 2024. A first for the French technician, who enjoys a solid reputation on the African continent and the Middle East, but has not been unanimous in France in the past and has never yet led a women’s team.

Described as ” humble » et « hard worker “, an image that contrasts with his charismatic look and his famous white shirt, Hervé Renard arrives at the head of the Blue just a few months before the next Women’s World Cup, organized from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand. . Above all, he will have to succeed in appeasing a group of players weakened by the revolt of several of his executives – including captain Wendie Renard – who withdrew from the selection to protest against the management of Corinne Deaconthe coach in office since 2017, and ultimately leading to her dismissal.

To support him in his mission, the French should be helped by a staff more rehearsed than him on a daily basis in women’s football. According to sources familiar with the matter, the former deputy of Deacon, Eric Blahic, as well as his trusted deputy Laurent Bonadéi, who already accompanied him to Saudi Arabia, should be part of it. The first list of the new coach will be unveiled this Friday, March 31 for the friendly matches against Colombia, April 7 in Clermont-Ferrand, and Canada, April 11 in Le Mans.

An exceptional track record in Africa

At 54, the one who has never managed to win in France, especially after inconclusive stints in Sochaux (2013-2014) and Lille (2015), returns crowned with an impressive record won on the continent. African. After his meeting with Claude Le Roy, the ” blond wizard of African football, Hervé Renard became his assistant at the head of the Ghana national team in 2007 and saw his career take a major turn. ” She changed my destiny “, admits the French technician himself.

He quickly freed himself from his mentor and became coach of Zambia, with which he achieved the feat of winning the African Cup of Nations in 2012, the very first in the history of the country. He did it again at the head of Côte d’Ivoire in 2015 and was crowned for the second time in the competition, becoming the first coach to win two editions of the CAN with two different selections.

He also led Morocco’s national team at the 2018 World Cup, and more recently that of Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, during which he makes an impression again by surprising Argentina (2-1) with the Falcons. « I didn’t have the playing career I would have dreamed of. I tried to catch up as a coach sums up this leader of men who places the collective above all.

The French globetrotter is now tackling a new height: finally leading the French women’s team to glory, after their failures at the 2019 World Cup, beaten 1-2 by the United States in the quarter-finals , and Euro 2022, where Les Bleues were eliminated in the semi-finals by Germany (2-1).

For this, Hervé Renard will have to prove his ability to manage a group in the midst of a storm and succeed in the possible reintegration of rebellious internationals. The fate of certain major players long dismissed by Deacon, such as Lyon striker Eugénie Le Sommer or PSG goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi, is also at the center of questions. After having proven everything abroad, Hervé Renard now hopes to finally become a prophet in his country.