Henry, a former captain of Les Bleues, made 109 appearances for the national team, scoring 14 goals in that time. She recently featured for France in the summer Olympic Games, held in Paris. She did not feature in the quarter-final defeat to Brazil as Hervé Renard’s side crashed out of the competition. 

Henry has captained Les Bleues between 2017 and 2020, under now-former manager Corinne Diacre. After a three-year absence, she returned to the fold in 2023, wearing the armband on several occasions in the absence of Wendie Renard.

Henry currently plays her club football at Mexican side Toluca. With her retirement from international football, her time in European football looks to have come to an end. “It’s with a lot of emotions that I am announcing my decision to end my career with the France national team,” she wrote on social media. 

She added, “These past years defending the colours of our country have been amongst the most enriching of my life and have allowed me to experience emotions outside the norm.” 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Renard earned credit in Saudi Arabia for leading the nation to a surprise victory over eventual World Champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup. However, Renard was unable to secure passage out of the group stages of the tournament, but the famous victory remains important in the nation. 

Renard also has interest from other countries in the Middle East, Al Wasl from the United Arab Emirates have made an approach from the manager. 

The Frenchman’s last role was with the France women’s team which he left at the end of his contract in August. Renard failed in his goal of ending France’s search for an Olympic medal over the summer when he led the nation to the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics where they lost 1-0 to Brazil. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

The draw which took place on the 27th of September has grouped last year’s finalists with two-time Champions League winner VFL Wolfsburg, Serie A champions AS Roma, and Turkish champions Galatasaray. 

A difficult draw but Lyon will be confident that they can plot their route through the competition. The aim for the predominant force of France is to reclaim their status as the best team in Europe from current champions FC Barcelona. 

Lyon will be the only French representative in the competition after Paris Saint-Germain were eliminated from the competition by Juventus on the 26th of September. PSG lost home and away to a combined score of 5-2. 

2024/25 Women’s Champions League group stage draw

Group A: Lyon, Wolfsburg, Roma, Galatasaray 

Group B: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Twente, Celtic

Group C: Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Juventus, Vålerenga 

Group D: Barcelona, Manchester City, St. Pölten, Hammarby

GFFN | Nick Hartland

The task this evening was always going to be a difficult one for Les Parisiennes as they tried to overturn a 3-1 aggregate from the first leg away at the Italian side. An early goal from Juventus killed an early hope with Sofia Cantore (24) scoring in the second minute. PSG controlled the ball throughout the first half but rarely threatened. 

The hosts would equalise on the night in the 54th minute after Marie-Antoinette Katoto (25) was brought down by a clumsy leg from Martina Lenzini (26). Romée Leuchter, the new signing from Ajax would step up to the spot and score her first for her new club. It wouldn’t matter ultimately as Juventus registered their second in the 72nd minute to put the game out of sight. 

Jocelyn Prêcheur would likely be deeply concerned by the way PSG allowed for the second to be conceded. Barbara Bonansea (33) was left unmarked as she ran at the front post and with a looping header floated the ball over Mary Earps (31) and into the far post. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

The former Saudi Arabia national team manager made no mystery of his intent to leave his post on the back of the Olympics, with the coach keen on a return to the men’s game. This paved the way for Bonadei to be handed the hot seat in the France dugout and make his senior managerial debut. Bonadei has signed a three-year deal with the French FA with an option to extend for a further year.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

This news had been expected after France were eliminated from the Paris Olympics by Brazil in the quarter-finals. Renard had been open about the fact that he would be leaving his post after the tournament, with the coach keen on a return to the men’s game. 

Renard’s appointment in March 2023 had brought a wave of optimism to a team that had become divided and fractured under his predecessor Corinne Diacre. Renard in his short tenure managed to reach the quarter-final of the 2023 World Cup and the final of the Nations League. 

However, despite the players being complementary of his work effort and professionalism, he was ultimately unsuccessful in finally turning Les Bleues into one of the powerhouses of the global game. And another quarter-final exit for France will likely be seen as a considerable disappointment for both the nation and its now former manager.

GFFN | Nick Hartland

The message had been clear ahead of this competition for France. The mistakes of the past had to be ignored, and the sleeping giants of the women’s game needed to finally wake. They had never won a medal before at the Olympics, but with the Summer Games back on their soil, the hope was that they would right that wrong. 

Les Bleues would be up against fierce competition in Colombia. The South American side led by the mercurial talent of Linda Caiecedo had been the surprise package of last year’s World Cup, and there was hope within the nation that they would be able to repeat that feat. 

However, France raced to an early start five minutes into the game as Marie-Antoinette Katoto was the fastest to react to a poor-shouldered pass from Caicedo back to Jorelyn Carabalí. Katoto drove into the box picking up the loose ball and sliding her shot past the onrushing Katherine Tapia. 

Seven minutes later and Katoto almost recorded her second. The Paris Saint-Germain striker latched onto a corner from Kenza Dali. Her strike was powerful but placed directly into the path of Tapia. It would be Dali that found the net again for France as the hosts began to cruise. The midfielder from outside the box whipped a spectacular shot towards goal, it took a kind deflection allowing for it to dink off the crossbar and fall into the net. 

Colombia had chances, particularly on the counter-attack, with Mayra Ramírez forcing a save from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. The Chelsea striker looked like the best outlet for Colombia but often she struck an isolated figure during the first half of the game swarmed by a French defence that never allowed her too much time. 

Before halftime arrived, France made it three. Kadidiatou Diani and Katoto combined perfectly. The two former teammates passed it between one another keeping the Colombian defence always at bay. Diani dragged the ball wide holding off tackles and allowing Katoto to position herself in front of the goal, before she then crossed the ball towards Katoto who brushed the ball home with a neat header.

France set for rude awakening as second-half begins 

Colombia needed a change and the coach Ángelo Marsiglia was decisive in taking off the captain Daniela Montoya for Manuela Paví. It signalled an intention to not give up on the result and this mentality bore results as Ramírez remained a constant pest making darting runs towards the goal. One of these tricked Wendie Renard, while another brought about a penalty as she was brought down by Peyraud-Magnin. 

Catalina Usme stepped up for the penalty and with a cruel slow shot sent Peyruad-Magnin the wrong way. Colombia controlled the ball far better in the second half and with momentum swinging decisively in their favour they took advantage of this to cut the deficit to one. A brilliant and tenacious run from the substitute Paví was equalled by a chip over the goalkeeper. 

Hervé Renard had to make immediate changes. Sakina Karchaoui and Delphine Cascarino came off for Selma Bacha and Sandy Baltimore. France looked far from comfortable despite still being in the lead, and the calm and composed presence that the team had emitted for the entire first 45 minutes was thoroughly shaken. 

France were given a reprieve after Ramírez was sent off for serious foul play. A late challenge from the striker saw her accidentally stamp on Bacha. The referee originally awarded a yellow but after consulting VAR upgraded the decision to a straight red card. The hosts with the man advantage were finally able to rescue a bit of control back into their night. 

The final whistle was a welcome sound for a stadium that had become extremely nervous. The sleeping giants appeared to have woken for a half before they reverted to type. Work will have to be done before France take on Canada this Sunday if they have any hope of ending the Olympics with their first-ever medal. 

France: Pauline Peyraud-Magnin; Sakina Karchaoui (Selma Bacha 71’), Wendie Renard, Griedge Mbock Bathy, Maëlle Lakrar, ; Sandie Toletti, Grace Geyoro, Kenza Dali, Kadidiatou Diani (Amandine Henry 90+1’), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (Eugénie Le Sommer 90+4’), Delphine Cascarino (Sandy Baltimore 71’).

Colombia: Katherine Tapia; Carolina Arias (Yirleidis Quejada Minota 82’), Daniela Arias, Jorelyn Carabalí, Manuela Vanegas;  Daniela Montoya (Manuela Paví 45’), Marcela Restrepo, Leicy Santos; Linda Caicedo, Mayra Ramírez (Red card 84’), Catalina Usme. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

As a result, behind the scenes, there are already talks regarding Renard’s next move, with qualfiiers for the 2026 World Cup coming up. Foot Mercato understands that Renard, who managed Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup, already has two official offers at his disposal. 

Egypt and Nigeria have both lodged bids, the former offer is slightly more lucrative than the latter. However, they aren’t the only ones interested in the Frenchman’s services. Algeria have previously displayed an interest in hiring Renard, whilst another country on the African continent is also interested, as per Foot Mercato. France Women’s manager won’t be short of interest once the Olympics conclude ans it looks highly likely that he will quickly secure a new position, almost certainly in Africa. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Abriel took on a variety of jobs throughout French football before becoming the assistant and then later the manager for FC Fleury’s women’s team in 2021. Under Abriel, Fleury have become one of the strongest teams in Division 1 and last season they narrowly missed out on the playoffs. 

Abriel was also denied silverware by his new club who beat his Fleury side in the Coupe de France final. PSG will be hoping that their new head coach will be able to kickstart a new era for the club, something that Abriel was quick to reference in his statement to the press. 

The new head coach stated, “It’s a real honour to have been chosen to start this new chapter for PSG. I would like to thank the club for their faith in me. I was fortunate enough to be at the youth academy and to have made my professional debut here… I’m looking forward to starting work with this squad of extremely talented players, who should be ambitious for the seasons to come.” 

GFFN | Nick Hartland

Earps had spent the last five years at Manchester United but in a public statement explaining her decision revealed that she was uncertain about the direction of the club as it undergoes a transitional period. Speaking to L’Équipe, Earps revealed that this was not an easy decision for her to take. 

As she explained, “It’s hard to leave your home country. The last few years in England have been incredible (an FA Cup win last season with Manchester United). I received a lot of messages of thanks after the announcement of my departure. There is a very big community around women’s football in England, the crowds are incredible. I hope the PSG fans will appreciate me as much, even if I will have to earn their respect for that.” 

This will not be the first time that Earps has left England to pursue a career abroad, with the international joining VfL Wolfsburg for the 2018-19 season. However, in Paris, Earps will be entering a new dressing room at a very different point in her career, having widely become recognised as one of the best in her position during her time in Manchester. 

GFFN | Nick Hartland