France announce successor to Herve Renard as former women's national team boss is linked with fifth job in Africa

It's been known for several months that Renard would likely leave his role in charge of Les Bleues after the Olympic Games and that is exactly what has happened, with the coach departing after a disappointing quarter-final exit at Paris 2024. That was his second major tournament in charge of France, after being appointed ahead of last year's Women's World Cup. The nation crashed out in the last eight there, too, though Renard did make some personal history by becoming the first coach to win a match at the men's and women's editions of the tournament.

On Friday, the French Football Federation (FFF) revealed that Renard's successor would be Laurent Bonadei, a man he knows well as he has been his assistant since 2019. Bonadei worked alongside Renard for his four-year stint in charge of the Saudi Arabia men's team and then followed him to France last year. Bonadei has signed a contract through to the end of the 2027 Women's World Cup, with the possibility of an extension.

"I'd like to thank the Federation for the trust it has placed in me. I'm proud and honoured," Bonadei said. "Leading the national team is a great responsibility that I take seriously and with commitment. I'm following in the footsteps of Herve Renard, with whom I've worked closely over the past 17 months with the French women's team."

Philippe Diallo, president of the FFF, added: "We wanted a coach who knows the French national team and women's soccer, with a wealth of experience, high standards and a sense of training. It was with this in mind that we decided to entrust the national team to Laurent Bonadei. Les Bleues have major sporting objectives, in particular Euro 2025 in Switzerland and the 2027 World Cup. I have every confidence in Laurent Bonadei to achieve them. The French team must spearhead the federal government's major ambition to develop women's soccer."

In January, the Ivory Coast attempted to temporarily hire Renard for the Africa Cup of Nations, an approach that was turned down by the FFF. There were then reports the following month that Egypt wanted to hire the 55-year-old, but Hossam Hassan would eventually get the job.

Rumours suggest that the Frenchman could well be on his way back to Africa for his next job though, following previous spells in charge of Zambia, Angola, the Ivory Coast and Morocco. Reports have linked him heavily to the vacant Nigeria post, which former Sweden boss Janne Andersson has also confirmed he is in the running for.