French coach Hervé Renard, currently in charge of the French women’s national team, could face a significant legal and financial penalty following the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), according to a legal expert familiar with the case.
The issue stems from Renard’s contract with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF). Before taking the France women’s job in March 2023, Renard was the head coach of the Saudi Arabian men’s national team. His contract with Saudi Arabia was officially set to run until 2027.
However, the SAFF agreed to release Renard so he could pursue the opportunity with the French Football Federation (FFF). This agreement was not a termination, but a temporary suspension of his contract. A key clause states that if Renard takes charge of another men’s national team before June 2026, the SAFF has the right to claim substantial financial compensation.
The legal advisor explained that the contract is effectively “frozen,” not cancelled. “The Saudi federation can activate the penalty clause if Renard coaches any men’s national team before 2026,” the source stated. “The amount of compensation is confidential, but it is certainly a large sum stipulated within the contract.”
This clause directly impacts Renard’s future. He has been frequently linked with a return to men’s international football, with the South Korea national team job mentioned as a potential destination after their departure from Jurgen Klinsmann. Any such move before the summer of 2026 would trigger the penalty.
For now, Renard’s focus remains on leading the French women’s team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on home soil. But once that mission concludes, his next career step will be watched closely, with the suspended Saudi contract and its potential financial repercussions looming over any decision to return to the men’s game.
