The French Football Federation (FFF) finally decided on Thursday, March 9, and dismissed Corinne Deacon, the coach of Les Bleues, from her duties.
In office since 2017, she had been in turmoil since the withdrawal of Wendie Renard, Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani, executives who criticized the lack of professionalism of the French women's team.
It remains for the FFF to appoint someone to succeed him.
Time is running out because the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand begins on July 10 and the next match of Les Bleues, against Colombia in a friendly, is held in barely a month in Clermont.
With this in mind, Philippe Diallo, acting president of the FFF, asked the four members of a special commission to "proceed, within eight to ten days, with the hearings of the candidates who would be interested in this mission".
Gérard Prêcheur, Sonia Bompastor, Sandrine Soubeyrand, Éric Blahic and Hervé Renard are the names that come up with the most insistence.
Gérard Prêcheur, women's PSG coach
Gérard Prêcheur presides over the destiny of the female PSG.
© Javier Sorano, AFP
According to Canal +, he is in pole position to succeed Corinne Deacon.
Gérard Prêcheur, coach of the PSG women's team since August 2022, could take charge of the France team, at least until the World Cup.
Before PSG, he coached OL (2014-2017) and won everything with the team.
He notably has two hat-tricks to his credit during the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons by winning the French Championship, the Champions League and the Coupe de France.
Sonia Bompastor, OL coach
Sonia Bompastor is OL's coach.
© Frank Fife, AFP
If the solution does not come from PSG, it could come from OL.
The name of Sonia Bompastor, current coach of the Lyonnaises, is also circulating among the possible names to replace Corinne Deacon.
The former defender of the France team (156 selections) was the first woman to train the seven-time European champion.
Former captain of the club, then director of the academy, she embodies "OL DNA" and, as such, is favored by Jean-Michel Aulas, president of the club and member of the Executive Committee (Comex) of the FFF.
Sandrine Soubeyrand, coach of Paris FC
Sandrine Soubeyrand at the presentation of a jersey commemorating her record of selections for the France team, women and men combined.
© Franck Fife, AFP
Before being coach of the Blue, Corinne Deacon had worn the captain's armband 69 times.
Only one woman is ahead of her in this ranking: Sandrine Soubeyrand, who is also cited to succeed her.
With 198 caps, she has the record for selections with the blue jersey, women and men alike (with "only" 145 caps, Hugo Lloris can get dressed).
This experience of Les Bleues and her legendary status plead for her.
The 40-year-old is currently stationed at Paris FC, third in the first division behind the irremovable OL and PSG.
Eric
Blahic, former assistant to Corinne Deacon
Eric Blahic was Corinne Deacon's deputy © Franck Fife, AFP
Ex-assistant of many teams (Guingamp, Sochaux, PSG, Bordeaux) and especially of Corinne Deacon at Les Bleues (2020-2021), he left the France team following disagreements with the coach.
Currently free since he left his post in the national technical direction in August 2022 – he was in charge of training coaches – Blahic would be interested in the mission.
His lack of experience in this position could however play against him, even if he would be favored in the locker room.
Herve Renard, Saudi Arabia coach
Coach Hervé Renard during the match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at the Lusail stadium, north of Doha, on November 22, 2022. © Odd Andersen, AFP
On the list, he is the only one with no experience in women's football.
The 54-year-old technician is currently linked with the Saudi Arabian men's team until 2027, but a clause in his contract would allow him to leave his post under certain conditions.
>> To read also: Mondial-2022: Hervé Renard, the "white wizard" who presides over the destiny of Saudi Arabia
Hervé Renard has his experience in international football on his side.
In his career as a technician, he has already won two African Cups: with Zambia (2012) and Côte d'Ivoire (2015).
The resounding victory of Saudi Arabia against Argentina, at the last World Cup in Qatar, also marked the spirits.
The summary of the
France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week
I subscribe
Take international news everywhere with you!
Download the France 24 app