Herve Renard draws line under controversy as Wendie Renard is called into manager’s first France squad

Herve Renard called for unity after naming captain Wendie Renard in his first squad as France manager, weeks after the defender announced she was stepping away from international football.

The former Morocco, Ivory Coast and Zambia manager heralded the start of a new chapter following the tumultuous end to predecessor Corinne Diacre’s reign.

“We will have to create a united group – we are together, not divided. You have to go in small steps to discover each of them. In my job, that’s what I love the most,” Renard said at his presentation.

Olympique Lyonnais defender Renard has 142 caps for her country and has been to two World Cups, two Olympics and three European Championships.

A statement from the French Football Federation (FFF) said the relationship between the players and Diacre was at the point of “no return” and the damage done was “irreversible”.

But harmony appears to be restored after new manager Renard restored his namesake to a 26-strong national squad for the upcoming friendlies against Colombia and Canada in April.

“I followed the news,” the manager said. “The FFF gave me a list of pre-selected players, a very large list which included all the players.

“So I felt that the Federation gave me the green light to select whoever I wanted. I was not there before, I was still in office a week ago. What happened before, I don’t look at it, I focus on the present and the future.

“Opinions are divided but the important thing is to move forward. We can pay tribute to Corinne Diacre who obtained very good results with this French women’s team.”

Renard will lead France’s women to the World Cup, which takes place from July 20 to August 20 this year, and to the Paris Olympics next year on home soil.

He is vastly experienced in men’s international football, winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia and the Ivory Coast and taking Morocco and Saudi Arabia to the World Cup, but this is his first job in the women’s game.

“We certainly don’t behave the same way with a female group as with a male group,” said Renard.

“I have four daughters at home, the oldest is 34, so I have some experience! I think it takes a little more communication, explanation, tolerance sometimes but also harshness at other times.”

France host Colombia in Clermont-Ferrand on April 7 before taking on Canada in Le Mans four days later.

Their World Cup campaign will begin on July 23 with their first match against Jamaica. They will then face Brazil and Panama to close out the group stages.