Wendie Renard to come out of France retirement for new manager

Wendie Renard receiving an award as part of FIFPro's World XI for 2022 (Just Pictures)

FIFA WWC Wendie Renard to come out of France retirement for new manager

Ayoola Kelechi 13:12 - 15.03.2023

France's recently retired ex-captain would welcome a national team invitation from a new coach

Ex-France Women’s National Team captain Wendie Renard, has suggested that she would be willing to reverse her retirement from international football if the new national team manager calls her up. 

France sacked Diacre after an uprising in the team

Renard retired dramatically from the national team, a few months before the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, citing grievances with the head coach of the women’s team at the time, Corinne Diacre, whose methods she deemed unprofessional. 

Wendie Renard could no longer cope with the below par coaching staff in the national team
Wendie Renard could no longer cope with the below par coaching staff in the national team

Renard was backed in her claims by other national team members, including Kadidatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto who also announced that they would be stepping away from the national team until a change in management was made. 

They got their wish when Diacre was summarily relieved of her duties earlier this month, and this has caused Renard to reconsider her international career. 

Former Zambia and Ivory Coast manager Herve Renard interested in France job

Renard would welcome France invitation from new coach

The eight-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner has revealed that she would be open to rejoining saying, “I am a competitor at heart. I love this jersey and I want to do everything to win a title with it.”

Wendie Renard receiving the UWCL trophy from UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin
Wendie Renard receiving the UWCL trophy from UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin

She however also noted that her return to the the national team is not down to only her, but will also hinge on the decision of the new national team manager. “The next coach must want to work with me,” Renard said, before adding, “only the next coach will call me up if I perform with my club, so why not?”

France have not made a decision on the the next coach for the women’s team, but it is believed that any new coach will see the return to the national team of a number of France’s stars who were jettisoned by Diacre for personal reasons. 

Apart from Renard, Diani, and Katoto, France could also welcome back Amandine Henry, Eugine Le Sommer, and Sara Bouahadi who were all exiled from the national team.  

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