Europe 1 with AFP 19:55 pm, April 03, 2023

Hervé Renard has made his choice. The new coach of the women's France team has decided to keep Wendie Renard in her position as captain of Les Bleues. Lyon will be assisted by two vice-captains: Grace Geyoro and Eugenie Le Sommer.

The new coach Hervé Renard has maintained Wendie Renard, symbol of the mutiny of the players against Corinne Diacre, as captain of the women's France team, he announced Monday at the opening of the April gathering, his first at the head of the Blues. "After consultation with the staff, Wendie was unanimously appointed captain," explained the new coach from the Clairefontaine training center.

The Lyonnaise (32 years, 142 caps), captain since September 2021, retains her armband and will be assisted by two vice-captains, Grace Geyoro and Eugenie Le Sommer. The latter was recalled by Hervé Renard after two years of absence in the selection. Renard was the first player to publicly express her discomfort under the mandate of former coach Corinne Diacre, and to "withdraw" from the France team to obtain changes.

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"Delighted"

"I wanted their full buy-in, I'm glad they accepted. Everyone must play their part, group life is important to lead a group to success. We just have to move forward," said Hervé Renard. Wendie Renard had lost the captain's armband between 2017 and 2021, when Corinne Diacre, the former coach, had removed it from him when he took office, before returning it to him in the fall of 2021.

She is therefore extending her mandate as captain for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, from July 20 to August 20. The coach, appointed Thursday and presented Friday, brought together his three executives at the beginning of the gathering to offer them these new functions, which will not be limited to this April camp, during which the Blues face Colombia (Friday) and Canada (Tuesday, April 11).

"It's for all the time, even if there may be one absent, one injured, and others will come. The important thing will be to keep this hierarchy and that they relay with the rest of the group and with a council of elders that will be set up, "explained Hervé Renard, promising "a constant exchange". "It's me who decides last, but that doesn't stop us from listening," he added.