It’s unclear whether Corinne Diacre will coach France much longer, but one thing’s for sure: she’s not going to simply fade into the background.
The under-fire coach, who is widely seen as the cause of a player revolt within the France women’s national team, gave a defiant statement to the AP following speculation that she would step down from her post.
In a statement sent by her lawyer, Diacre lashed out at her critics, complaining that she has “endured, not without great suffering, the display of slander, untruths and ambitions of some and others.”
“My detractors have not hesitated to attack my personal and professional integrity without bothering with the truth,” added Diacre, who accused her accusers of “violence” and “dishonesty.”
“I will not let myself be affected by this destabilization operation, which does not take into account my sporting record, and whose only objective is a personal settling of scores.”
The France player revolt currently involves the team’s long-standing captain Wendie Renard, star winger Kadidiatou Diani, and standout striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto, who have all said they will not accept any call-ups for France until changes are made within the team. While their statements didn’t specifically call for Diacre’s ouster, RMC Sport has reported that the coach is at the top of the list of things the players want changed.
Veterans of past France squads, like Eugénie Le Sommer — one of numerous big-name players to clash with Diacre over the years — and Sarah Bouhaddi, have voiced support for the trio, as have U.S women’s national team midfielder Lindsey Horan (who plays in France with Lyon), Norway forward Ada Hegerberg, and former Japan international Yuki Nagasato.
Diacre’s position in the balance
Diacre’s term may not be long: Noël Le Graët, a key Diacre supporter, recently resigned as president of the French federation (FFF) amid his own set of scandals. Amid the fallout from that news was a statement from the FFF that they would hold a meeting on Thursday to sort out Diacre’s fate.
In her statement, Diacre certainly isn’t striking a note of someone who expects that meeting to go poorly.
“In view of the shameful media outburst of the last few days, I nevertheless wish to reaffirm publicly what I told the commission, that I am fully committed to carry out my mission and, above all, to do France proud during the next World Cup,” said Diacre.
The manager, in her sixth year in charge of the France women’s team, also thanked Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas — who is part of the FFF committee that will decide her fate — for what she claims is a willingness to recant public statements backing the players.
Per Diacre, Aulas is “ready to go back on his public remarks by considering the the situation with objectivity and impartiality.” Notably, Aulas has not confirmed this account of his position in any public forum.
A change of coach just months before the World Cup begins will be difficult at best to manage for France. The team has four pre-tournament friendlies before opening their schedule in Group F against Jamaica. While France will be strong favorites to advance out of that group, Diacre has never taken one of the world’s most talented national teams further than the semifinals at a major tournament.
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