Corinne Diacre has been named coach of France's women's team

She replaces Olivier Echouafni, dismissed after less than a year in the job

Diacre made headlines as the first woman to coach a professional men's side

The French national women's team has a new coach after Corinne Diacre was appointed to replace Olivier Echouafni on Wednesday. The 43-year-old becomes the first female coach of the women's side since Elisabeth Loisel, who held the position for almost ten years between August 1997 and January 2007.

Diacre may not be the first woman to take charge of Les Bleues, but she steps into the role as a genuine trailblazer. Capped 121 times by France, the former defender assumes the reins after becoming the first woman to coach a professional men's team, having spearheaded Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot since 12 September 2014. In total, she oversaw 50 wins, 39 draws and 44 defeats in 133 games, before which she coached her old club ASJ Soyaux and served as assistant to her national team predecessor Bruno Bini.