Former Chipolopolo coach Hervé Renard has resigned as coach of Saudi Arabia’s national team, and he is reportedly set to take over France’s women’s national team.
The French Football Federation sacked Corinne Diacra this month after captain Wendie Renard and a number of players said they could not play at the World Cup if the coach remained in charge.
Renard reached a mutual agreement with the Saudi Football Federation, with whom he was under contract until 2027.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) said on Tuesday that it had agreed to terminate Renard’s contract at his request and wished him well in his future career.
“Renard has an offer from the French federation and expressed his desire to take this opportunity.”
“We were informed four days before the current international window and I received a letter from the French federation. I consulted with a number of members of the board of directors…. And we decided to accept this request,” SAFF President Yasser Al-Misehal told Saudi sports channel.
Meanwhile, Renard after Saudi Arabia 2-1 against Bolivia which he was in charge, said that he felt he had taken the Green Falcons as far as he could.
“I would like to thank everybody in Saudi for their support during almost four years,” Renard told reporters.
The two-time Africa cup winner admitted that “I did the maximum with the team. I can’t reach another level so I prefer to be honest with everybody. Thank you again, it was fantastic time.”
Renard says bye to Saudi
He later confirmed his departure in a tweet last night and further thanked the Saudi Arabian for the time.
Renard is expected to be in charge when the French women’s team hosts Colombia on April 7th in a friendly match.
READ ALSO: “Be ready for more insults and criticism”- Mweene tells Fashion Sakala
The match is part of the country’s preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
France is in Group F of the World Cup alongside Brazil, Jamaica, and Panama
The tournament will kick off from July 20th to August 20th in Australia and New Zealand.
Will the Copper Queens meet Renard’s France at the World Cup?
Zambia will also be making their debut at the Women’s World Cup.
The Copper Queens were drawn in Group C with Costa Rica, Japan, and Spain.
They will kick off their campaign on July 22nd against Japan.
With Renard being a household name in Zambia following his historic AFCON triumph with the Chipolopolo in 2012, many Zambians have wondered if the Copper Queens will face him in the Women’s Cup.
The answer to the question, however, is that the Copper Queens will only face France if both teams advance to the final.
