Corinne Diacre Signs New Two-Year Contract As Manager Of France

French Football Federation have announced that Corinne Diacre has signed a new two-year contract to stay as manager of France Women until 2024.

Diacre formerly played for ASJ Soyaux between 1988-2007 and went on to manage the club and serve as assistant manager to the France National Team, before she was appointed as manager at Clermont Foot in 2014.

After three seasons at Clermont, she was appointed manager of France’s Women National Team in August 2017, which has since seen her lead Les Bleues to Quarter-Finals of 2019 FIFA World Cup on home soil where they lost to eventual champions – USA despite having targeted the Final.

More recently, Diacre has led France to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2022 where they lost to eventual runners-up, Germany, in which Alexandra Popp scored a brace for the Germans either side of a Merle Frohms own goal which saw France equalise.

France’s performance though saw them qualify for a major semi-final for the first time since 2012 Olympics, meaning that their last two semi-final appearances in major tournaments came on British soil.

Diacre’s Les Bleues meanwhile have already qualified for 2023 FIFA World Cup next summer and will be part of the Olympics’ Football tournament in 2024, by virtue of France hosting the 2024 Olympics which is in line with Diacre’s new contract extension timeframe.

Speaking about being able to continue in her role for two more years, Diacre said: “I am happy and proud to continue the adventure with the France team for these two additional seasons which will necessarily promise to be very rich with a competition every year.”

Diacre also reflected positively on their progress at this summer’s Euro despite missing out on a place in the Final, as she iterated that despite feeling the “disappointment” of their semi-final exit she is “delighted” to continue developing the current squad with eyes on World Cup and Olympic success.

French Football Federation President, Noël Le Graët added that he is “delighted” to retain Diacre as manager with aim of the women’s team winning the World Cup and Olympics across the next two years.

Explaining why Diacre has been retained amidst her controversial coaching style, Le Graët said: “We share the same strong ambition for these two major competitions that the FFF will best prepare alongside a group France with talents and experience.

“The Blues have settled among the best nations. They are the showcase of our high-level women’s football and more generally of the development of the practice whose vitality is undeniable.”