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Herve Renard has resigned as head coach of the Saudi Arabia men’s team and is set to lead France at the Women’s World Cup this summer.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) said on Tuesday that Renard, 54, requested his contract be terminated.
He will replace Corinne Diacre, who was sacked after several key players said they would no longer represent their country under her leadership.
The Women’s World Cup takes place from 20 July-20 August 2023.
“[Renard] has an offer from the French federation and expressed his desire to take this opportunity,” SAFF President Yasser Al-Misehal told Saudi Sports Channel.
“We were informed four days before the current international window and I received a letter from the French Federation, and consulted with a number of members of the board of directors, and we decided to accept this request.”
The Frenchman took charge of Saudi Arabia in July 2019 and guided them to their second successive World Cup finals, where they shocked eventual champions Argentina with a 2-1 win in Qatar last year.
After a friendly loss to Bolivia on Tuesday, Renard – who has never managed a women’s team – told reporters: “I would like to thank everybody in Saudi for their support during almost four years.
“I think 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 a fantastic time.”
Renard previously won the Africa Cup of Nations as head coach with both Zambia and Ivory Coast – the first person to lead different countries to the AFCON title.
France, who are ranked fifth in the world, are seeking to win their first World Cup this summer and the French Football Federation will hope the players who boycotted playing for the national team under Diacre will make a return.
Captain Wendie Renard, Kadidiatou Diani, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto criticised the French “system” as they stepped back from international duty.
Ex-captain Renard said she was taking a step back from the team “to preserve [her] mental health” and Diani claimed the “management” of the team was the reason behind her decision.
