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. Renard was appointed as the new France women’s manager on Thursday after ending his contract with the Saudi Arabia men’s team, who he led to the World Cup in Qatar last year.

Ad 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. Women's World CupRenard appointed to lead France women's team to World Cup and Paris OlympicsA DAY AGO “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.

Diacre was sacked in March, just four months before the Women’s World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand, after Renard and other key players said they wouldn’t feature under her at the tournament. Olympique Lyonnais defender Renard has 142 caps for her country and has been to two World Cups, two Olympics and three European Championships.

Renard appointed to lead France women's team to World Cup and Paris Olympics 'I can no longer endorse the current system' – France captain Renard to miss 2023 Women's World Cup Guardiola considers 'risk' of starting Haaland against Liverpool despite recent injury 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