French women's team: Corinne Deacon-OL, the reasons for unease

The French women's team faces North Macedonia this Friday (9 p.m., in Orléans) then Austria on Tuesday in the Euro 2021 qualifiers but lives a unique stage.

Positive for Covid-19, the coach Corinne Deacon is absent and manages remotely.

Since last week, the climate has also become even heavier around her.

Between the “clan” of Lyonnaises and Deacon, there have been many misunderstandings in the past.

The non-selection of Amandine Henry was the straw that broke the camel's back.

This decision comes after other tense episodes: his criticism of Le Sommer, his choice to withdraw the armband from Renard ... Not to mention the case of Bouhaddi who chose to put his international career on hold.

The guardian also had a complicated relationship with Deacon.

"They come to the France team with a bowel movement," said Reynald Pedros, former OL coach and consultant on Canal +.

The very rigid management of the coach is often singled out.

"Many players leave happy for the France team and return sad to their club", underlines another interlocutor adding that "the clubs never know in what psychological state they will recover their players after the gatherings".

Players who have the impression of being "infantilized"

But it is with Lyon, whom Deacon rarely comes to see play and where she sends her assistants, that the discomfort seems the strongest.

“Corinne has her own way of managing.

It does not work with everyone.

It does not work with many Lyon players, ”notes a former international tricolor, still very aware of the affairs of women's football.

The Lyonnaises, who have won everything, have the feeling of not being listened to and of being "infantilized".

Quite the opposite of habits in Lyon, where President Jean-Michel Aulas has given them a certain power, and where their opinions, their feelings, count in the decisions taken for the future of coaches.

“We felt this lack of fulfillment.

They are very professional players, very attached to the jersey of the France team, who go to the selection with a lot of desire because it is the France team but at the same time not with the same pleasure as when they were 'train with OL.

This is what challenges us, ”explains Olivier Blanc, leader of the women's OL and close to Jean-Michel Aulas.

“They have the same desire to win with the Blue as with OL,” he continues.

But to try to win, you have to put in all the ingredients.

The feeling of the Lyonnaises is that the context is much less buoyant than with OL.

Amandine was shaken.

For her, it was a shock.

She feels that she is in good shape.

She has been the holder since she recovered (

).

There is a misunderstanding among the Lyonnaises, on the decision not to select her, and also a common vision of what they expect in the France team.

"

"I know that my job makes people jealous and makes people dream"

By videoconference from her home, Corinne Deacon did not wish to dwell on this controversy this Thursday afternoon.

Refocusing, despite the reminders, each time the debate on the next two matches.

"I've heard a lot of things," she just agrees to say.

But now is not the time to talk about it.

That moment will come.

I have heard things wrong and wrong, I have to set the record straight and give my point of view.

I do not refuse anything.

I'm just waiting for the end of the internship to talk to some, between four eyes.

I respect certain choices and speeches.

It would be nice to do the same for me.

"

On Wednesday, the president of the Federation, Noël Le Graët, who had exchanged with the Lyonnaises ten days ago during a medal ceremony, came to lunch with the players at Clairefontaine, certainly to calm the climate.

As he had done during the first post-World 2019 rally where he had to intervene with the group to calm the Habs and avoid a coup attempt.

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If her management cringes internally at the FFF, the coach, extended until 2022, does not seem threatened for the moment.

“I have the support of the Federation,” says Deacon.

If I am here in front of you, it is because I have never dreamed of leaving.

When I hear certain comments, I'm not fooled.

I know that my job makes people jealous and makes people dream… ”