Hervé Renard has been confirmed as the new head coach of the France women’s team after a player uprising led to the sacking of Corinne Diacre.
Renard resigned as head coach of Saudi Arabia earlier this week after the team scored a memorable 2-1 victory over eventual winners Argentina at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.
The French Football Federation (FFF) sacked Diacre earlier in March after several high-profile Bleues players refused to play under her, criticizing her management style and attitude towards the team.
Renard was immediately named as a potential replacement for Diacre, and the 54-year-old’s appointment was finalized on Thursday.
His contract with Les Bleues will run until August 2024, allowing him to lead the team at the upcoming World Championships in Australia and New Zealand, as well as next year’s home Olympics in Paris.
In addition to Zambia and Ivory Coast winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 and 2015 respectively, Renard has also managed Angola and Morocco during a long career in international football.
The FFF said in a statement that Renard will be officially unveiled at a press conference on Friday, when he will also name his squad for next month’s friendlies against Colombia and Canada.
France will start their World Cup campaign against Jamaica in Sydney on July 23, before facing Brazil and Panama in their subsequent Group F matches.