2023-08-08 14:33:29
It’s a bit like his derby. Men’s coach between 2016 and 2019, Hervé Renard finds this Tuesday (1 p.m. French time) the Moroccan women’s selection. A special meeting for this globetrotter against another French coach, Reynald Pedros. Present this Monday morning at a press conference from the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide (Australia), Hervé Renard said all the good things he thinks about the work done around Moroccan football. By also assuming the status of favorite for the Blue.
You find Morocco, a country you know well. What memories do you keep of your visit?
HERVÉ RENARD. We had prepared for this eventuality. We prepared for the match by supervising the opponent for a long time. A perfect job was done. We still have to obtain the qualification on the ground. I have wonderful memories of my time in Morocco. I have kept many friends. On to football now. We are here to qualify.
How do you explain Morocco’s success, for both men and women?
The reason is simple. Since 2014 and the appointment of Fouzi Lekjaa (President of the Federation), the work has been exceptional. I had the chance to work with him for three and a half years. Nasser Larguet created these foundations. Others arrived and continued to advance. There are three countries that have qualified their team in the round of 16 for both men and women: the Netherlands, France and Morocco. So Morocco is one of the best nations in world football. And it’s not over. There are high quality infrastructures and players. They do not forget any parameter.
Why did you support the Moroccan selection in the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar? And what do you think of the players who have changed selection between young people and A?
The context was different. Morocco, in the semi-finals, I think there were 12 or 13 players that I managed. I was very proud of this Moroccan team. My heart swayed for Morocco. As for the players, it’s good that some who have worn the blue jersey can wear Morocco’s afterwards. It is a choice of the heart. The two countries get along wonderfully well. It will be a good game of football and may the best win.
“Tomorrow is a match of the caliber of the one against Brazil, at the highest level”
Can we have an update on the physical condition of the group?
Overall, everything is fine. Maëlle Lakrar had a small thigh alert on a slip. We act a bit like with Wendie (Fox). It is she who will decide if she is able to participate in this match or not. But the workforce is entirely at my disposal. There was a good turnover against Panama. Everyone is ready for this important game.
For the first time in the history of a World Cup, men and women, two French coaches compete: Reynald Pedros and you. French training is good, then?
(smile) The training of French coaches is very good. We have this chance. Some manage to export. There’s not enough. It will be necessary, with a world football which evolves, to export a little more. It’s a message. You do not have to be afraid. You just need the desire to discover, to adapt to other parameters. You can experience wonderful adventures. There will only be one left for the quarters. I hope it will be me (laughs).
France is the favourite. But what do you fear the most?
We respect this Moroccan team. But we focus on us. There is experience in the French selection. I am there to guide them as best as possible but they would guide themselves very well without me. There is a strength that emerges, an enormous maturity, with players with a lot of character, with an enormous record. They know these matches. It is a huge pleasure to direct them. There is a great serenity in our team. We know that all the steps are difficult and important to go through.
Why did you change training grounds on Monday afternoon?
To cover the tracks (laughs). No just kidding. The terrain is too hard. This is for the comfort of the players and their athletic recovery. When you have the opportunity to do it, you have to do it. To put them in the best possible conditions.
What conclusions do you draw from the first round?
We had a difficult match against Jamaica (0-0) but we see that they are in the round of 16 and I think they have not finished their journey. She was difficult to maneuver. We had a high level match against Brazil (2-1). Against Panama (6-3), we had a relaxation after leading 5-1. It’s just decompression. Tomorrow is a match of the caliber of the one against Brazil. High level. Morocco is capable of projecting itself quickly. They are the same characteristics. We know what to expect.
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