Herve Renard is set to be named as France women's head coach after leaving his role as Saudi Arabia men's manager.
Renard will be appointed as the French Football Federation looks to bring harmony to the squad after Corinne Diarce's reign ended with senior players stepping away from the national team. The 54-year-old managed Saudi Arabia at the 2022 men's World Cup, leading his team to a shock win over eventual World Champions Argentina.
But he has left his post, ahead of his expected confirmation as the new French women's team coach. Renard has also previously managed Ivory Coast, Lille and Morocco in the men's game, winning two Africa Cup of Nations with both the former and the Zambia national team.
The Saudi Arabian FA confirmed Renard's departure via an online statement, which read: "The Saudi Arabian Football Federation Board of Directors has agreed on the contact termination of the head coach of the national team Mr. Herve Renard upon his request.
"A legal settlement has been reach to end the contract between the two parties. The president and board of directors of SAFF wish Mr. Renard every success for his future career."
Despite a strong CV in the men's game, the Frenchmen has never previously managed a women's team.
Prior to the official announcement from the Saudi FA, news agency AFP quoted a member of the Saudi FA who stated: "Renard is determined to return to France to take over a national team." But he then had to negotiate his exit from the gulf state, having been under contract beyond the next World Cup and into 2027.
Renard will take over a France side who have suffered from the divide created between senior players and former coach Diacre. Captain Wendie Renard was one of those players who said she would no longer be available for selection, only months ahead of the biggest Women's World Cup ever in Australia and New Zealand.
It remains to be seen whether Renard and teammates such as Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani will return to the national set-up following Renard's arrival. France in a group also containing South American champions Brazil, Panama and Jamaica at the World Cup this summer.
