Renard (54), double winner of the African Cup of Nations at the head of Zambia (2012) and Côte d’Ivoire (2015) but who has never led a women’s team, will have the mission to make Les Bleues shine at the next World Cup, organized from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand, then at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
The Frenchman’s first priority will be to restore calm and serenity within a group weakened by the rebellion of several executives (Wendie Renard, Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto), who withdrew from the selection to protest once morest the management of Deacon, resulting in the dismissal of the coach.
Renard will reveal its first list on Friday for the friendly matches once morest Colombia, April 7 in Clermont-Ferrand, and Canada, April 11 in Le Mans, during a press conference scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at the headquarters of the FFF. The international future of the rebels and their possible reintegration will be at the center of the questions. We will also have to watch for the fate reserved for Lyon striker Eugénie Le Sommer or PSG goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi, long dismissed by Corinne Deacon.
The appointment of Renard, who officiated until Tuesday at the head of Saudi Arabia, is not a surprise, the former defender being the FFF’s No.1 choice for several weeks. The Federation had mandated a commission made up of four members of its Executive Committee to interview the candidates and carry out the process of recruiting the coach of the Blue. But it has long remained suspended in negotiations between Renard and the Saudi Federation.
Things settled down on Tuesday, Renard, under contract until 2027, having finally resigned following a friendly match once morest Bolivia (2-1 defeat). His mission with the Saudis was above all marked by the feat achieved in the first round of the World Cup-2022 once morest the future world champions Argentina (2-1).
