Herve Renard Resigns as Saudi Arabia Manager to Take Over France Women’s Team Ahead of World Cup

In a move that has shocked the football world, Herve Renard has resigned as the manager of Saudi Arabia to take over France ahead of the Women’s World Cup later this year. Renard, who won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015, has a wealth of experience at international level and will be hoping to add to his trophy cabinet with France.

His decision comes after a 2-1 friendly loss to Bolivia, where he admitted that the team’s progress under his leadership had reached a ceiling. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) agreed to terminate Renard’s contract at his request, following which he took up the vacant position with the France women’s team.

France have been without a manager since sacking Corinne Diacre earlier this month, citing “a very significant divide” with the players that has “reached the point of no return”. Wendie Renard, Kadidiatou Diani, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto all refused to play at the World Cup under “the current system”.

Renard’s crowning moment with Saudi Arabia came at the World Cup 2022 when they beat eventual tournament winners Argentina 2-1 in their opening group stage game. Tasked with winning the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer, Renard will be aiming to replicate this success with France.

Renard will take charge of his first game as France manager against Colombia on Friday 7 April, followed by a visit from Canada four days later.