France's Bergeroo ready for Women's World Cup

France were the only European team to reach the semi-finals of both the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2012 Olympics, but after a UEFA Women's EURO 2013 quarter-final exit there was a change of direction.

Out went long-standing coach Bruno Bini; in came former France goalkeeper and Paris Saint-Germain boss Philippe Bergeroo, who had led a side including Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri to 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Championship glory but boasted no experience in women's football. Inheriting a squad of acknowledged talent, Bergeroo's France qualified for the Women's World Cup with a perfect record and in 31 games his charges have lost just twice, both against the United States, while beating the likes of Brazil, Germany, Japan and indeed the US themselves.

England, another of France's victims under Bergeroo, are their opening World Cup opponents on Tuesday in Canada. Bergeroo spoke to UEFA.com about the finals and adapting to the female game.

UEFA.com: What do you think of your group opponents at the World Cup?

Philippe Bergeroo: It's quite a difficult group, because we know the quality of the England team, they have been getting very good results for quite a while now. I went to see them play against the United States, and England only lost 1-0. We will need to be very careful and pay attention to Mexico and Colombia as well, we've seen the footage of Colombia's draw against Brazil. So we will need to keep calm and prepare well.

Philippe Bergeroo instructs his squad©Getty Images

UEFA.com: How much have you enjoyed coaching the women's team so far?

Bergeroo: It's new for me, because I was not a candidate, [French Football Federation] president Noël Le Graët called me and asked me to take over the team. I am very surprised about how involved the girls are, about how much they want to succeed and about how much they work during training. They always give 100%.

UEFA.com: In which sense would you say the team has improved under your direction; would you say there has been progress, especially tactically?

Bergeroo: I think the team has improved tactically, yes – but most of all on the physical side. We had some problems in terms of duels and physical work, and I think we've had to work on that weakness. But it's true that I have taken over some very good girls. France have been getting good results for some years now and we would like to do something at the World Cup.

UEFA.com: Are France ready to win a major tournament?

Bergeroo: Win a major tournament, I hope so. But when I look at the nations taking part in the World Cup, there are at least seven nations who can reach the podium, such as Germany, the United States, Japan, Brazil, Canada. We just played Canada and won 1-0, but it wasn't easy. Then you have all the Nordic countries too.

Reaching the podium would be something really exceptional for these girls, because they have missed out on the podium for so many years now. We hope this will be the right time.

UEFA.com: In 2019 France will host the Women's World Cup; is it something you are looking forward to, and how important is it for the country and for the development of women's football?

Bergeroo: It will be an important turning point for us, because four years ago there were 54,000 registered players, now we have 85,000, and in 2016 we will reach 100,000 registered players. I think the World Cup in 2019 will bring even more young players to the stadiums. And what's very important in my current squad is that I have 11 players who are under 23 – 11 players who will be there in 2019. And there is also a great generation coming up. Hosting the World Cup in France, there will be a very strong French squad, it will reboot football and we need that.