Two options in French Federation’s succession plan for Hervé Renard

Nothing short of a miracle looks as if it can convince Hervé Renard to change his mind and remain as the manager of the French women’s team past the end of his contract on the 31st of August. 

The two-time AFCON winner (Zambia in 2012 and the Ivory Coast in 2015) has made it clear in interviews and to the French Football Federation that he will not be extending his contract past the Paris Olympics in the summer. 

Despite the vice president of the FFF, Jean-Michel Aulas, confidently confiding in an interview with L’Équipe, “There is always hope when you’re dealing with me.” The writing appears to be on the walls, which at least leaves the federation in the fortunate position that they can succession plan. 

Candidates such as Reynald Pedros (a former Olympique Lyonnaise Féminin assistant and Morocco women’s team manager) and Pascal Dupraz (who has no former experience in the women’s game) have cast their names into the ring, as has the current FC Fleury women’s manager Fabrice Abriel. 

The two options facing the FFF after Hervé Renard

How well these names will be received by the FFF is yet to be seen, but an expert on the matter speaking to L’Équipe has suggested that “There are two trends. Either they go with a ‘known and recognised’ coach like Hervé Renard, or they opt for a manager who knows women’s football.” 

The choice of the former looks as if could be the one that the FFF is most keen to follow as Aulas stated, “You need a profile very close to that of Hervé Renard. You need someone who has previous results.” However, how many options the FFF will have if they pursue that line is unclear, especially if they continue to limit themselves to French managers. 

If they were to go with a manager who is more familiar with the women’s game then Sarah M’Barek could be high on the federation’s list. After Corrine Diacre, she was the second woman to obtain a professional football coaching certificate in France. A former international with France and the current manager of the RC Lens women’s team, with experience at Montpellier HSC and EA Guingamp’s women’s teams. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland