Wendie Renard ready to play for France again after Corinne Diacre’s sacking

The former France captain Wendie Renard, who announced last month that she would step back from the national team, said she was open to making a return if Corinne Diacre’s successor as head coach deems her worthy of a recall.

Renard had said she would not play at this year’s Women’s World Cup to preserve her mental health, with RMC Sport reporting that she would not represent the France as long as Diacre was in charge.

Last week Diacre was sacked by the French Football Federation on the recommendation of an executive committee, and Renard told the radio station Europe 1 she would be willing to return if the next coach wanted to work with her.

“It’s the coach who will select me if I perform well with my club ... but why not [make a return]?” the Lyon defender said. “I am a competitor at heart. I love this jersey and I want to do everything to win a title with it.”

France will be looking to win their maiden World Cup at the tournament which is being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia from 20 July to 20 August. They begin their campaign in Group F against Jamaica before facing Brazil and Panama.