There was concern in the French football world after controversial coach Corinne Diacre was sacked just months out from the Women's World Cup when multiple players refused to play under her.
However, they wasted no time in finding a replacement in Herve Renard, who is making his first foray in coaching a women's football side.
The Frenchman has returned home after years in the Middle East and Africa, and he will try and steer the French side to glory, with the team currently one of the stronger sides at the tournament as they sit fifth in the FIFA World Rankings.
The Sporting News takes a look at Herve Renard's career, including his record at the men's World Cup and the trophies he has won as a coach.
MORE: Full France World Cup squad
Herve Renard World Cups
This will be the third World Cup that Herve Renard has coached in, but his first taste of a Women's World Cup.
He first coached at the men's World Cup back in 2018 when he led Morocco to their first tournament in 20 years; they lost their opening two matches and drew with Spain in their final group match.
He was also at the 2022 World Cup less than 12 months ago, and his Saudi Arabia side caused arguably the biggest upset of the tournament when they defeated eventual champions Argentina 2-1 in their opening match of Group C.
However, they could not sustain their positive momentum, as they lost their next match against Poland 2-0 and were defeated in the final match of the group by Mexico, meaning they finished bottom despite their stirring win over Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Herve Renard teams managed and record
Renard has enjoyed a journeyman career where he has coached for club and country in many parts of the world.
He began his coaching career at various smaller clubs in France, England and in Vietnam, with his first international role coming with Zambia in 2008; he left the role in 2010 but then rejoined a year later after short stints in Angola and at Algerian side USM Alger, where he stayed until 2013.
Other significant roles he has held include managing the Ivory Coast, and French Ligue 1 sides Lille and Sochaux, though both were short lived and ultimately unsuccessful.
Overall, he has coached 13 sides, including France, at club and international level in a career beginning in 1999.
| Team | Years | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC Draguignan | July 1999 - June 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| Cambridge United | January 2004 - May 2004 | 25 | 4 | 7 | 14 |
| Nam Dinh | July 2004 - September 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| AS Cherbourg | July 2005 - May 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| Zambia | May 2008 - January 2010, October 2011 - September 2013 | 42 | 16 | 13 | 13 |
| Angola | April 2010 - October 2010 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| USM Alger | February 2011 - October 2011 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| Sochaux | October 2013 - May 2014 | 33 | 11 | 8 | 14 |
| Ivory Coast | June 2014 - May 2015 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 4 |
| Lille | May 2015 - November 2015 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Morocco | February 2016 - July 2019 | 45 | 25 | 9 | 11 |
| Saudi Arabia | July 2019 - March 2023 | 41 | 18 | 11 | 12 |
| France (Women) | March 2023 - present | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Herve Renard trophies won
Herve Renard has had some success as a coach, with his time at Zambia and Ivory Coast seeing him win major silverware for both countries.
He led Zambia to their first ever African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 2012, which was seen as a huge upset given the quality of African sides at the time; despite being continental champions, Zambia were not able to compete at the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil, which Renard criticised.
At his next international role with the Ivory Coast, he also won the 2015 AFCON tournament, with the Elephants defeating Ghana in the final 9-8 on penalties after the match finished 0-0 after extra time.
The other trophy Renard won was a minor trophy with Zambia in a competition called the COSAFA Cup in 2013.
Herve Renard playing career
Herve Renard also had a playing career lasting 15 years as a defender, though unlike his globetrotting coaching career he never ventured outside of France during his playing days.
It was also at a lower level then he would end up coaching, never playing at any top clubs in France and he never represented his national team as a player.
He spent seven years at Cannes, spending some time at the club at the same time Zinedine Zidane was coming through the ranks.
He then moved to Stade de Vallauris in 1991, where he spent seven years and played 105 games, before finishing his playing career at SC Draguingan, where he also had his first head coach role.
