Soubeyrand, Prêcheur, Bompastor… Who to succeed Corinne Deacon at the head of Les Bleues?

Published on : 09/03/2023 – 16:05

The French Football Federation (FFF) finally decided on Thursday, March 9, and dismissed Corinne Deacon, the coach of the Blues, from her duties. In office since 2017, she had been in turmoil since the withdrawal of Wendie Renard, Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani, executives who criticized the lack of professionalism of the French women’s team. It remains for the FFF to appoint someone to succeed him.

Time is running out because the Cup mThe wave in Australia and New Zealand begins on July 10 and the next match of Les Bleues, against Colombia in a friendly, is held in barely a month in Clermont.

With this in mind, Philippe Diallo, interim president of the FFFasked the four members of a special commission to “proceed, within eight to ten days, with the hearings of the candidates who would be interested in this mission”.

Gérard Prêcheur, Sonia Bompastor, Sandrine Soubeyrand, ANDric Blahic and Hervé Renard are the names that come up with the most insistence.

Gérard Prêcheur, women’s PSG coach

According to Canal+, he is in pole position to succeed Corinne Deacon. Gérard Prêcheur, coach of the PSG women’s team since August 2022, could take charge of the French team, at least until the Coupe du mwhere.

Before PSG, he coached OL (2014-2017) and won everything with the team. He notably has two hat-tricks to his credit during the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons by winning the French Championship, the Champions League and the Coupe de France.

Sonia Bompastor, OL coach

If the solution does not come from PSG, it could come from OL. The name of Sonia Bompastor, current coach of Lyonnaises, is also circulating among the possible names to replace Corinne Deacon.

The former defender of the France team (156 selections) was the first woman to coach the seven-time European champion. Former club captain, then director of the academy, she embodies “OL DNA” and has, as such, the favors of Jean-Michel Aulas, president of the club and member of the Executive Committee (Comex) of the FFF.

Sandrine Soubeyrand, coach of Paris FC

Before being coach of the Blue, Corinne Deacon had worn at 69 times the captain’s armband. Only one woman is ahead of her in this ranking : Sandrine Soubeyrand, who is also quoted to succeed him. With 198 capes, she has the record for selections with the blue jersey, women and men combined (with “only” 145 capes, Hugo Lloris can get dressed).

This experience of Les Bleues and her legendary status plead for her. The 40-year-old is currently stationed in Paris FC, third in the first division behind the irremovable OL and PSG.

ANDric Blahic, former assistant to Corinne Deacon

Ex-assistant of many teams (Guingamp, Sochaux, PSG, Bordeaux) and especially of Corinne Deacon at Les Bleues (2020-2021), he left the France team following disagreements with the coach.

Currently free since he left his post in the national technical direction in August 2022 – he was in charge of training coaches – Blahic would be interested in the mission. His lack of experience in this position could, however, play even against him if he would have the favors of the locker room.

Herve Renard, Saudi Arabia coach

On the list, he is the only one with no experience in women’s football. The technician of 54 years is linked for the moment with the men’s selection of Arabia sheard until 2027, but a clause in his contract would allow him to leave his post under certain conditions.

>> To read also: Mondial-2022: Hervé Renard, the “white wizard” who presides over the destiny of Saudi Arabia

Hervé Renard has his experience in international football on his side. In his career as a technician, he has already won two African Cups : with Zambia (2012) and Côte d’Ivoire (2015). The resounding victory of Arabia sheard against Argentina, during the last Mworld in Qatar, also marked the spirits.