Hervé Renard's next job? Not Ireland

Herve Renard

Hervé Renard has distanced himself from the Ireland vacancy – the France women’s team boss confirming no contact was received from the FAI.

After managing Morocco, the Ivory Coast, Zambia, Angola and Saudi Arabia over a 20-year career, he switched to the women’s sphere last year to lead his home nation.

That stint will end after they host the Olympics in July, with speculation rife about his next project. He has spoken of his desire to lead a team to the 2026 men’s World Cup.

The FAI are due to reveal the identity of their new permanent manager next week and the vacuum of information has fuelled the mystery around their eventual choice.

Renard was asked today about his name being linked in Metz, on the eve of the opening Euro qualifier against Ireland (8.05pm Irish time).

“No,” he initially responded about an approach from Ireland before generalising.

"I think every day some people will find a new destination for me but this is not the most important. This game against Ireland is the most important.” “I will tell you in English, but they (French media) are able to translate by themselves. I will never again respond to any question about my future.” Ireland were pitted in the group of death against France, England and Sweden – three nations inside the top five ranked in the world.

By storming through League B of the Nations League last year, not only did they earn promotion but a guaranteed playoff route to the 2025 tournament in Euros.

They can bypass that fallback by edging the superpowers for one of the two direct qualifying tickets on offer via the group but manager Eileen Gleeson has pleaded for realism when it comes to expectation.

Renard himself, while demanding they begin the campaign strongly in this double-header that concludes on Tuesday against the Swedes in Stockholm, emphasised the respect he and his players have for the Irish.

“Our group is not easy so we need to start the campaign well,” said the 55-year-old.

“We will respect Ireland and not think about Sweden until afterwards. Ireland have organisation and are very efficient, especially with their set-pieces. Katie McCabe is very good at them and Louise Quinn can be dangerous “Denise O’Sullivan, too, is a threat as someone who plays between the lines. Ireland deserves to be at this stage and we know everything about them.”