Corinne Diacre has been sacked as France Women manager just months before 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Diacre’s departure comes amidst a fierce fallout with several leading players including Lyon’s Wendie Renard plus PSG’s Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who were amongst various players who suspended their international career in recent weeks.
French Football Federation (FFF) officials consequently ordered a swift investigation, which found there to be ‘a very significant fracture’ between Diacre and senior players, with Eugenie Le Sommer and Amandine Henry both controversially left out of last summer’s UEFA Women’s Euro squad.
France nevertheless reached the semi-finals of last summer’s Euros where they were defeated by eventual runners-up, Germany, courtesy of Alexandra Popp’s brace.
Diacre since signed a new contract to stay in charge of France until end of 2024 much to the bemusement of many players and fans.
Tensions however have increased between Diace and her playing squad, which led four members of France’s Executive Committee – compromised of Laura Georges, Aline Riera, Jean-Michel Aulas and Marc Keller – to undertake their investigation into Diacre’s conduct and future.
The four members upon conclusion of their investigations also found that there was ‘a discrepancy’ in Diacre’s performance and the requirements of ‘very high level’ managerial performances on and off pitch.
Summing up their investigation, they stated that there is a ‘divide’ which has now ‘reached a point of no return that harms the interests of the selection.’
In return, the FFF agreed that Diacre’s managerial relationship with the squad is ‘irreversible’ and that ending ‘Diacre’s mission’ was the only option, especially as the team prepare for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer.
With France placed in a potentially tricky Group F alongside Jamaica, Brazil and Panama, the FFF iterated that this managerial change is part of ‘high objectives’ set at the World Cup as well as next year’s Olympics which is hosted on home soil in Paris, France.
The four members involved in this investigation also noted a ‘no longer acceptable’ tone in how players expressed their criticism, and intend to propose ‘a complementary mission’ between the Executive Committee and coach’ to prevent any future repeats.
France will appoint a new manager in due course with view of their new managerial appointment being in place for next month’s friendlies at home to Colombia and Canada.
During her time in charge since 2017, Diacre achieved one trophy with France as she led the team to 2017 SheBelieves Cup.