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Herve Renard has been appointed to lead the France women’s team at the Women’s World Cup after stepping down from his role as manager of Saudi Arabia.
Frenchman Renard, who led the Saudis to a famous win over Argentina at the men’s World Cup in November, has signed a contract to August 2024.
He will be charged with leading his country to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which takes place from July 20 to August 20 this year, and to the Olympic Games on home soil in Paris next year.
Renard will be officially presented on Friday, when he will name his squad for upcoming games against Colombia and Canada in April.
The former Saudi Arabia manager’s appointment will hoped to bring some stability after a turbulent period for the French women’s team.
She was one of several top players, including Paris Saint-Germain stars Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, to take the stance as relations between Diacre and her players reached breaking point.
Diacre was dismissed on March 9, when a statement from the French Football Federation said “irreversible” damage had been done, with relationships at the point of “no return”.
His side earned a stunning 2-1 win over eventual winners Argentina in their opening game of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but lost their following two games against Poland and Mexico to go out in the group stage.
He has vast experience of international management in the men’s game, having also led Morocco, the Ivory Coast, Zambia (twice) and Angola.
Renard led both Zambia and the Ivory Coast to Africa Cup of Nations titles, in 2012 and 2015 respectively, but has not taken charge of a women’s team before.
France, who have never won the World Cup, are in Group F alongside powerhouses Brazil, as well as Jamaica and Panama.
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