Deschamps prepares for France farewell with Zidane expected next
France face England for World Cup third place in what AFP reports will be Didier Deschamps’ final match after 14 years in charge.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Didier Deschamps is set to end his 14-year spell as France coach on Saturday when his team play England in the World Cup third-place match, AFP reported. The game also sets up a handover moment in French football, with Zinedine Zidane widely expected by AFP to take over after the tournament.
Deschamps, 57, had hoped to leave with a third World Cup title for France, according to AFP. Instead, France must play for bronze after a 2-0 semifinal defeat to Spain in Arlington, Texas, ended their bid to reach a third straight World Cup final.
Deschamps told reporters before the England game that he was not treating the occasion as an emotional farewell. “I had the privilege of experiencing moments that were magical, and others that were difficult,” he said, adding: “But life goes on. I’m a positive person, and I know things will be good, too.”
He also described the France job as “the best thing that ever happened to me,” according to AFP.
A long run at the top
Deschamps’ place in French football was already secure before he became national coach. AFP noted that he captained France to their first World Cup title in 1998, then later led the country to another one as coach in Russia in 2018.
He took charge after a difficult period for the national team. France crashed out of the 2010 World Cup in the group stage after a player revolt against coach Raymond Domenech, and Laurent Blanc then guided the side to the Euro 2012 quarterfinals, AFP reported.
Under Deschamps, France became one of international football’s most consistent tournament teams. AFP reported that he has led France to at least the semifinals in five of his seven major competitions.
The record also includes setbacks. France lost the Euro 2016 final to Portugal on home soil, then were beaten by Argentina on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final, according to AFP. The loss to Spain this week carried its own sting because France had arrived at the semifinal after strong attacking displays in the United States.
Asked earlier in the tournament about his steady record, Deschamps pointed first to the squad. “I don’t know, having very good players, I guess,” he said. “But I can’t be doing my job too badly.”
Zidane in line for the job
AFP reported that the England match will be Deschamps’ 27th World Cup game as coach, a record. After that, France are expected to turn to Zidane, Deschamps’ former teammate from the 1998 World Cup-winning side.
Zidane, 54, has been out of coaching since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, according to AFP. The former midfielder has previously said managing France was his “dream,” AFP reported.
French Football Federation President Philippe Diallo told Le Figaro earlier this year that the next France coach would need broad authority and public backing. “There are not many people capable of leading one of the world’s biggest national teams,” Diallo said. “It needs to be someone who ticks every box and who everyone in France can get behind.”
Deschamps’ final tournament also included personal loss, AFP reported. He missed one match during the World Cup after returning home for his mother’s funeral.
France’s next coach will inherit a squad led by Kylian Mbappe and other attacking players whom Deschamps had allowed more freedom over the past year, AFP reported. Zidane, if appointed, would also inherit the expectations created by one of the most successful eras in the history of the French national team.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.