2023-07-21 22:04:00
Smiling, relaxed, he gives the change in Valentine’s Sport Park in Sydney, the training center of the Blue, during a game of Teqball or when he observes his players in full exercise with the ball. Hervé Renard, in the collective imagination, is the white shirt. But also this “Colgate” smile which illustrates well the good nature and the sympathy of the character, whose character and communication contrast singularly with her predecessor, Corinne Deacon. The public and the media found the former international cold, authoritarian, despite the few attempts at humor or relaxation?
He’s benevolent, that’s what we needed
With Renard, arrived only in April at the head of the France team, the dithyrambic comments follow one another. “He is a very human person, it is felt in our group, he has brought all his human experience that he has accumulated over the past few years, he is benevolent and that’s what we needed”, said defender Elisa De Almeida, for example, in a press conference, under the sun of New South Wales, a few days before the opening of the World Cup.
“We are very happy to have him with us. It is above all humanly where it makes the difference. When you have a leader of men, as we often say with him, it is different and we feel it”, also said in April the midfielder Léa Le Garrec when Sandie Toletti, she explained that the new staff “[leur] sent a breath of positive energy, that’s what should lead us to surpass ourselves and find that little something we lack to go to the last four (at the World Cup)”.
From Saudi Arabia to the Blues, a salary halved
“It’s always nice to see that someone who comes from men’s football is interested in women’s football, rejoices Camille Abily, ex-international with 183 caps in the France team. Often we had people who came because they had no other projects, little choice… That was not the case, “recalls the current assistant coach of OL, who does not forget that Renard gave up a comfortable position in Saudi Arabia.
At the head of a project that was on the rise, especially after his historic victory against Argentina at the Qatari World Cup (2-1), the double winner of the CAN with Zambia and Côte d’Ivoire, who received, according to estimates, more than a million euros per year in the Middle East, made considerable efforts in terms of salary by joining the Blue, where he would receive, at best, half as much. “It shows that he has an interest in women’s football, that he has a lot of consideration, I think the players took it like that,” continues Abily.
Hervé Renard in discussion with Vicki Becho
Credit: Getty Images
From a distance, it might even look like a suicide mission. The former coach of Sochaux and Lille, often condemned to shine elsewhere than in France, and who is desperately seeking recognition in France, had only a few months to prepare what represents for some the opportunity of a lifetime. While never having coached in the world of women’s football. Which is not necessarily a defect, believes Abily: “When you come from the middle you know the players a lot, there are some with whom you have more or less affinity… He had a whole new look, he leaves on a blank page”.
Very nice, very charismatic
Hervé Renard charms everyone. Even the coaches of D1 Arkema, some of whom point out, however, in private, not having appreciated the way of doing things when Deacon was ousted: “he is very nice, very charismatic”, slips Amandine Miquel, the coach of Reims. “Our first contacts were very interesting, cordial”, judge for his part Yannick Chandioux, currently in full preparation with the women’s team of Montpellier.
When Corinne Deacon was constantly questioned, and had notably clung to her post after the Euro last year thanks to this first semi-final in international competition in 10 years for the Blues, we could therefore even forgive him, to him, a premature exit to Australia. “Whatever happens, with the short time he has had to prepare it, he will not be judged on it,” says Abily. Especially since several major players, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Delphine Cascarino, Griedge Mbock or Amandine Henry are missing, all through injury.
Renard on Bacha’s injury: “It’s the worst news of the evening”
Ambitious, he aims at least for the semi-finals
“He’s quiet, he can miss himself completely, it will pass cream, with a smile”, agrees mischievously Miquel, who promised the person concerned that she would pay him a restaurant, “but only if he wins the World Cup!”. “He will have had 4 or 5 months, he’s a professional, for me he had time to take in information, to watch how others work, to analyze what had happened. After managing a group of women it’s certainly different, but I think he’s able to quickly grasp all that, I’m not necessarily worried”, positive Yannick Chandioux.
Hervé Renard with his players
Credit: Imago
The 54-year-old tactician claims, in any case, that he did not come to the Antipodes to spend a month’s vacation: “The ambition is always the same. It’s a group that needed regeneration, that’s part of the strategies. Is it the right one? We will have the answer if we are qualified, first, for the semi-finals of this World Cup, “he said when unveiling his list in early June.
The Paris Games, that’s where he won’t have to miss
If he will not jump no matter what happens at the end of the competition, his game plan, his coaching will be closely scrutinized: “The first choices will be made, obviously we know how it goes in a group: everything is beautiful, everything is rosy during the preparation, but as soon as we start…”, urges Camille Abily.
As if to emphasize that the big boss of the France team is only at its first difficulties. Because the year promises to be dense, for the one who will also have to lead the French team to the Paris Games. “He will have more to prove at the Olympic Games, that’s where he won’t have to miss,” insists Amandine Miquel.
After years spent in the shoes of the favorites and failing far too soon, the French, on their soil, will have to bring back at least an Olympic charm. Hervé Renard, accustomed to winning, sometimes even beyond expectations, will he manage to work his magic once again? He hopes to do it a year in advance, here in the cool Australian climate.
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