In an exclusive piece, Jean-Pierre Thiesset brings us news of an interview given by goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi which lifts the lid on just how troubled the situation is within the French Women’s National side.
Sarah Bouhaddi, Olympique Lyonnais and French national team goalkeeper had some very blunt words to say about Corinne Diacre, national women’s coach during an interview on OL TV’s Barth Ruzza Talk Show.
First let’s recall who Sarah Bouhaddi is to understand why what she says is important:
Sarah was born on October 17, 1986 in Cannes, France. She has played in more than 400 club matches, including 280 games with Olympique Lyonnais since 2009. Additionally, she has played more than a hundred games with the French national side.
The list of honours won by Bouhaddi is very impressive: 11 French Championships (from 2010 to 2020), 7 UEFA Women’s Champion League titles, 8 French Cups (2012 to 2017 and 2019 & 2020), 1 Champions trophy – game between French Championship and Cup winners (2019). She was also elected Best World Goalkeeper by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and UEFA Best Goalkeeper in 2020.
Just a few days ago, Bouhaddi gave an interview to Barth Ruzza on Olympique Lyonnais’ own club television station. Here is an extract of the 30 minutes interview – this is a direct translation with nothing changed or added:
Barth Ruzza (BR): You decided to take a step back regarding France team, If you had a message to send, something to tell, or a question to ask to Corinne Diacre (the French women’s national head coach), what it would be?
Sarah Bouhaddi (SB): I have no message to send her, I think she is old enough and responsible enough today to know what she is doing, now the question is to know if she really wants to win a title with the France team; we are several Lyonnaise players and several players of high level, and included Paris players too, which want to do something great with the France team and I realize that we may not be all in the same project or the same speech and this is what saddens me today.
BR: Did you discuss with her in a frank manner?
SB: Yes, but our relations have never been very strong and very beautiful during the period before the World Cup. After the World Cup it is has been difficult for me and several of my team-mates, we have undergone several examinations very negative in the France team.
BR: What do you mean?
SB: There has been a bad result in the World Cup for us and they reproach us saying we wanted Corinne Diacre fired, although we never said that. After that, Corinne Diacre took against us – me and Amadine Henry, and after the World Cup we lived in a scenario very difficult during the training camps and it is for that reason that I took a step back from the national team at my age. I felt I was strong enough psychologically and ready to make a break with the France team because there is no relationship with the coach. I told her when I called her that as long as she has no confidence in me and that there was no relationship between her and me, there was no reason to continue to work together.
BR: Do, at times, you regret taking this decision?
SB: I do not regret because I lived very badly there (in the national camp)…I do not regret because today, winning a title with this coach seems impossible to me…a lot of other players think the same, but do not say it.
BR: So, for you it will not work, it is impossible?
SB: It will not work. I could say that the France team will not win the Euros with Corinne Diacre as a coach. Today, we are in a situation which is too negative. If Corinne Diacre evolves in the next two years, it is possible, but there is so much to change…
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