The French Football Federation (FFF) has moved quickly and announced Herve Renard as the new head coach of the French Women’s National Team until August 2024.
The two-time CAF Africa Cup of Nations winner takes up the appointment just hours after he had resigned as the coach of the Saudi Arabia Men’s National Team.
He replaces Corinne Diacre who was released earlier this month after she had a fallout with some senior players, including captain Wendie Renard who went as far as saying she will not play for her country at the World Cup if Diacre was still coach.
The feelings were echoed by fellow internationals Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani, who also decided to follow their captain.
The 54-year-old Frenchman will be unveiled on Friday (31 March 2023) at a Press Conference and will hit the ground running as he prepares the team in two international friendly matches against Colombia (7 April) and Olympic champions Canada (11 April).
Renard won the AFCON in 2012 in charge of Zambia, when they shocked favourites Ivory Coast in the final. He followed that up with another gold medal three years later in charge of the same Ivory Coast – pipping Ghana to the title. With this achievement he became the first coach to win the trophy with different national teams.
He was also instrumental in leading Saudi Arabia when they pulled off an unexpected victory of the more-fancied Leo Messi-led Argentina in the group stages of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar – the latter were however crowned eventual champions after they beat France in the final.
The France WNT is ranked fifth in the world and are still in search of their first FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the 2023 edition scheduled for Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August.
France has been drawn in Group G against Jamaica, Brazil and debutants Panama.
HERE IS A STATEMENT FROM THE FRENCH FOOTBALL FEDERATION:
“At the end of the Extraordinary Executive Committee meeting this Thursday afternoon, the French Football Federation is pleased to announce the appointment of Hervé Renard as coach of the French Women’s Team until August 2024.
The new coach will lead Les Bleues for the 2023 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20 and for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games from July 25 to August 10.
A presentation press conference will be held this Friday, March 31 at the FFF headquarters, at 12:00 p.m., in the presence of Philippe Diallo, Acting President of the FFF, and the recruitment commission composed of Jean-Michel Aulas, Laura Georges, Marc Keller and Aline Riera.
Hervé Renard will unveil on this occasion his first list for the next two matches of the French Women’s Team, scheduled for Friday, April 7 in Clermont-Ferrand against Colombia and Tuesday, April 11 at Le Mans against the Canadian women, defending Olympic champions.”
| Team | Confederation | Method of qualification | Finals appearance | Last appearance | Previous best performance | |
| UEFA | UEFA Group I Winners | 5th | 2019 | Fourth place (2011) | ||
CONCACAF | 2022 CONCACAF W Championship Third place | 2nd | 2019 | Group stage (2019) | ||
CONMEBOL | 2022 Copa América Femenina Champions | 9th | 2019 | Runners-up(2007) | ||
CONCACAF | Inter-confederation play-off Group C Winners | 1st | — | Debut |
By Matlhomola Morake
