National coach Renard prefers French women’s team over longer stay in Saudi Arabia
NOS Football–
The French soccer players have a new national coach four months before the World Cup. Hervé Renard is handing in his ongoing contract with Saudi Arabia to start work in his native country.
“Renard has received an offer from France and expressed his desire to take advantage of this opportunity,” Saudi Federation President Yasser Al-Misehal told SSC. “Also, I received a letter from the French federation. After consulting with some members of the board, we decided to accept this request.”
According to L’Equipe, Renard will be presented to France this week.
France was in urgent need of a new coach, following the dismissal of Corinne Diacre earlier this month. The World Cup already begins on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, while several internationals are at odds with the federation.
Wendie Renard, Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Perle Morroni and Griedge Mbock still refused to play under Diacre because of her leadership style. In addition, they achieved few appealing results with the French team.
Renard successful as national coach
France made it to the quarterfinals last World Cup and reached the last European Championship thanks in part to a win over the Netherlands to reach the last four. On July 23, Jamaica is the first opponent in the group stage, where it also meets Brazil and Panama.
Renard built a good reputation as a coach with the men. As national coach, he won the Africa Cup with both Zambia and Ivory Coast and also guided Morocco to the 2018 World Cup.
