Herve Renard steps down from Saudi Arabia, set to take charge of France ahead of Women’s World Cup

The Saudi Arabian Football Association has confirmed that Herve Renard has resigned from his position.

Renard, 54, took the country to the 2022 World Cup where they caused one of the shocks of the tournament, beating eventual champions Argentina 2-1 in the opening game.

However, speaking after the friendly defeat to Bolivia on Tuesday, he said that he felt he had taken the team as far as he could.

“I think I did the maximum with the team,” he said. “I can’t reach another level so I prefer to be honest with everybody. Thank you again, it was a fantastic time.”

Prior to Saudi Arabia, Renard managed the national teams of Morocco, Ivory Coast and Zambia, as well as brief club stints at Sochaux and Lille.

His two biggest successes as a manager were both at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he won the title with Zambia and the Ivory Coast.

The Saudi FA president Yasser al-Misehal said: “[Renard] has an offer from the French federation and expressed his desire to take this opportunity.

“We were informed four days before the current international window and I received a letter from the French federation, and consulted with a number of members of the board of directors, and we decided to accept this request.”

Diacre was sacked after a number of high-profile players, including captain Wendie Renard, said they would not play at the World Cup “under the current system” and they demanded change.

France, who have never won the World Cup, are in Group F alongside powerhouse Brazil, as well as Jamaica and Panama.

The tournament begins on July 20.