A matter of hours.
But the end is near.
Hervé Renard, 54, current coach of Saudi Arabia which he made shine during the World Cup with in particular a victory at the opening of the tournament against the Argentinians, future winners, is preparing to find France.
The experienced technician, winner of two African Cups of Nations (Zambia 2012 and Côte d'Ivoire 2015), who has never managed women's teams, should join the French football federation in the coming hours.
He is in pole position, as revealed by
Le Parisien
, information that we can confirm.
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Contacted Thursday, Jean-Michel Aulas, told us that Thierry Henry had declined the proposal and that the FFF would give its choice by Friday evening.
And “JMA” had split an additional word evoking the imminent announcement of “
a rather responsible and well-known coach.
The suspense will end in a short time.
Renard must negotiate his departure with Saudi Arabia
After several videoconferences (Renard lives in Riyadh) with Jean-Michel Aulas, Marc Keller, Aline Riera and Laura Georges, members of the Comex and in charge of auditioning the candidates for the succession of Corinne Deacon, the native of Aix- les-Bains seduced his audience.
By his charisma, his project and his propensity to federate a group.
With Hervé Renard at the head of the French women's team, the FFF would achieve a great deal in terms of image and experience.
Salary issues (Renard earns more than 4 million euros per year, when Deacon received 400,000 € annually) were not an obstacle to negotiations.
Read alsoWorld Cup: Hervé Renard, a life of football and adventures, discover the French technician who created the first surprise of the World Cup
Read alsoFrench women's team: Thierry Henry will not be Corinne Deacon's successor
Renard dreams of returning to France and competing in the Olympics in Paris
The aura and the communication of the former coach passed by Sochaux or Lille also played in his favor, while Corinne Deacon, ousted after the sling of major players, was the opposite of that.
Hervé Renard, under contract with Saudi Arabia until 2027, but who benefits from a clause in his contract, must have his departure validated in the coming hours with his Saudi boss, who was in Rwanda for the re-election of Gianni Infantino to the presidency of Fifa this Thursday.
Viscerally attached to his country and also in need of recognition, the man in the white shirt was seduced by the prospect of leading Les Bleues for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20-August 20), but also and above all the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Barring a last-minute surprise, Hervé Renard should therefore be the new coach of the French women's team.