According to reports from both RMC Sport and The Athletic, current Saudi Arabia men’s national team manager Hervé Renard is close to being named as manager of Les Bleues, replacing the recently dismissed Corinne Diacre.
The Athletic report that France’s players are happy with the choice of Renard as coach, with his appointment set to be announced once an agreement has been reached with the Saudi Arabian FA. Meanwhile, according to RMC Sport, negotiations with the Saudis are moving in a “positive” direction.
Preparations are also reportedly being made for Renard’s potential backroom staff, which could include Corinne Diacre’s number 2 Eric Blahic, joined by his current assistant Laurent Bonadéi. The question of a fitness coach is also being deliberated upon currently.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has been close to the movements going on inside the French Football Federation, being part of a group leading the hunt and selection for a new manager. Corinne Diacre was dismissed by the Federation following the withdrawal of key players such as captain Wendie Renard and Marie-Antoinette Katoto from the squad due to the coach’s harsh training methods.
GFFN | George Boxall
