For the FFF, it was urgent to put an end to the historic crisis which has shaken the French women's team since the withdrawal, last month, of Wendie Renard, Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, three emblematic members of the effective.

Even if it means postponing the designation of a successor to a later date.

Gathered Thursday around the interim president Philippe Diallo at the headquarters of the body, in Paris, the members of the executive committee therefore decided to sacrifice the former defender aged 48, who has crystallized resentment and criticism since his appointment in 2017 because of a management deemed authoritarian and divisive.

This decision was taken after the submission of the conclusions of a commission commissioned by Philippe Diallo "to draw up a report on the situation of the French women's team, following the various positions taken by several players", according to a press release. published by the authority.

“The numerous hearings carried out made it possible to establish the observation of a very significant fracture with executive players and highlighted a discrepancy with the requirements of the very high level. It appears that the dysfunctions observed seem, in this context, irreversible. In view of these elements, it was decided to put an end to the mission of Corinne Deacon at the head of the French women's team", explained the FFF.

Deacon thus leaves the controls of the national team on a very mixed record.

Sportingly, she failed to win a title, settling for a place in the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup at home and a semi-final at Euro-2022, despite the quality of the players at its disposal and the convincing results of French clubs in the Champions League.

The captain of the France team Wendie Renard and the coach Corinne Deacon, after the quarter-final of the 2019 World Cup lost against the United States, June 28 at the Parc des Princes © FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Archives

Off the field, she was above all distinguished by stiff communication, publicized clashes with selection executives and an inability to promote discipline.

The crisis, long underground, burst into the open on February 24 with the announcement by Wendie Renard (142 caps) of her withdrawal from the France team, the captain saying that she could "no longer endorse the system current", too far, according to her, from the high level.

Too much pressure

Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani, stars of Les Bleues and Paris SG, have engaged and tackled the "lack of professionalism" of the tricolor coaching, without directly naming the coach, under contract until 2024 and the Paris Olympics .

Anxious to tackle the problem head on, the FFF has set up a special commission, with Jean-Michel Aulas, Laura Georges, Aline Riera and Marc Keller, all members of the "Comex" on board.

Les Bleues striker Kadidiatou Diani during a friendly match against Norway on November 11, 2022 in La Nucia, Spain © Jose Jordan / AFP / Archives

The quartet auditioned several players while some "taulières" declined and others were not asked, according to those around them.

Deacon herself was able to speak for nearly two hours on Tuesday, according to her lawyer Christophe Ayela.

He described to AFP a "constructive and concrete" exchange, while the technician said, in a press release to AFP, "fully determined to carry out (his) mission successfully and, above all , to honor France at the next World Cup" in Australia and New Zealand (July 20-August 20), while denouncing a "smear campaign".

But the pressure had become too strong, especially since Jean-Michel Aulas, president of OL and close to Wendie Renard, no longer hid his wish to see Deacon leave.

This dismissal now forces the FFF to find a successor within tight deadlines.

The next match of Les Bleues, against Colombia in a friendly, takes place in barely a month in Clermont.

"Philippe Diallo asked the commission to audition, as soon as possible, the candidates for the post of coach and to formulate its recommendations", indicated the FFF.

The coach of the France team Corinne Deacon and the interim president of the FFF Philippe Diallo, before a match of the Blue against Norway, February 21, 2023 in Angers © JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP / Archives

The name of Gérard Prêcheur, current coach of the women's PSG, comes up insistently.

In recent hours, the former INF Clairefontaine trainer and ex-coach of OL women (2014-2017) however assured that he had not been contacted by the FFF.

Other profiles stand out, such as those of Sonia Bompastor (Lyon), Sandrine Soubeyrand (Paris FC) and Eric Blahic (former assistant to Deacon).

© 2023 AFP