France women’s manager Corinne Diacre (48) has been dismissed from her position after a French FA executive board meeting this Thursday, an announcement has confirmed
Diacre was under pressure in the wake of a player exodus that has seen a number of Les Bleues’ stars withdraw from the team. Two weeks ago, several players, including skipper Wendie Renard and key players Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, announced their withdrawal from Les Bleues – just months before the World Cup kicks off. They notably cited issues with Diacre’s management and coaching methods, which they say are far away from the standards required of the highest level. Diani said to TF1 that “the girls can’t take it anymore.“
Other high profile French players have shown their support for the exodus, such as the injured defender Griedge Mbock, or Eugénie Le Sommer, the prolific striker no longer in the France team amid reports of a strained relationship with the manager, who has been charge of France’s women team since 2017. This week, Diacre has spoken out and called out a “destabilising operation” against her, notably speaking of a “shameful media battering“.
A four-person commission within the French FA’s executive board were tasked with carrying out hearings to determine Diacre’s future, with a view to making a decision today. That group was made up of Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, Strasbourg’s Marc Keller, as well as former internationals Laura Georges and Aline Riera. The French FA’s board meeting will now look for a replacement for Diacre, with PSG women’s coach Gérard Prêcheur and Saudi Arabia manager Hervé Renard touted as favourites.
Diacre’s exit unfolds a week after the resignation of Noël Le Graët as French FA’s president. The 81-year-old Breton was a known supporter of the former Clermont manager, whose contract as head of Les Bleues was due to expire in 2024. Now, her time is up and her six-year stay as Les Bleues’ boss is over.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
