'The snipers were aimed at me' – Herve Renard will not continue as France's women's manager after Paris Olympics
21/03/2024 16:25
Hervé Renard confirmed in an interview with Le Figaro that he will not continue with the France women's team after the Paris Olympics. The manager was appointed after the tense end to Corrine Diacre's reign as Les Bleues manager in 2023 but will look to return to men's football after the end of his contract on the 31st of August.
Speaking after the Olympic draw, Renard was guarded when speaking about France's chances in a tough group. "A coach never considers a draw lenient. Sometimes we are devastated, and it goes well." He continues, "They are opponents to respect, but it is always better to finish first in the group."
There will be little time to think of the Olympics with the Euro qualifying group scheduled to begin between now and the opening ceremony on the 26th of July, a tough group that sees the Nations League finalists take on England, Sweden, and Ireland.
A tough draw awaits Hervé Renard's Les Bleues in the Paris Olympics – the full story. https://t.co/PD2Vl9AIib
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The aim remains for France to win its first trophy in the women's game, an objective that Renard is keenly aware of. "I came to women's football to do better than what has been done so far. You (the media) were not completely satisfied with a World Cup quarter-final (in 2023). I hope you were satisfied with the first final of a continental tournament (2024 Nations League Final), even if we lost it, this has never happened with Les Bleues.
‘We all have dreams, but talking about them doesn’t do much good’ – Hervé Renard
The manager explained "As of now the best result for France at the Olympics is 4th. The objective is to do better. We all have dreams, but talking about them doesn't do much good.We must begin this competition which will be magnificent and exceptional. It’s up to us to want to achieve something big."
Renard was spiky when talking about the aftermath of his failed attempt to be 'loaned' to the Ivory Coast men's team during the AFCON. An idea that was shot down by the FFF who wished for the manager to focus solely on his current role. "The snipers were aimed at me… I am at the end of my contract on August 31 and to be clear, I announced to the FFF that I will not continue."
When asked to expand on why he would not continue, he was blunt. "Because my contract ends on August 31 and I will return to men’s football."
