Didier Deschamps will go down as France’s greatest ever manager despite Tuesday’s World Cup exit at the hands of Spain.
Deschamps won the World Cup as a player in 1998 before going on to succeed with Les Bleus as a manager 20 years later.
He has made history in his post and almost went back-to-back in the competition in 2022, losing to Argentina in the final.
But this year’s semi-final exit means Deschamps has just one game remaining in charge of France as the 57-year-old has decided to step away from his role…
Is Didier Deschamps leaving France?
After 14 years as France manager and becoming their longest-ever serving boss, Deschamps will leave after Saturday’s third place play-off.
He revealed the news to TF1 in January 2025 saying: “I’m not here to make an announcement, but it will be 2026.
“I’ve been here since 2012, I’m scheduled until 2026, the next World Cup. It will stop there because it has to stop there at some point. In my head, it’s very clear.
“I did my time with the same desire, the same passion to keep the French team at the highest level.
“We never want it to end when it’s a beautiful thing. Afterwards, we have to know how to say stop.
“There is life after. I don’t know what it will be but it will be very good too. It’s going to be 14 years, that’s a long time too.
“I’m not here for the records, especially for the demands. The most important thing is that the French team remains at the top where it has been for many years.”
Deschamps has since gone on to clarify that he won’t be retiring from management, making himself available for new roles.
3
France 2026 World Cup results
Group I
France 3-1 Senegal
France 3-0 Iraq
Norway 1-4 France
Last 32
France 3-0 Sweden
Last 16
Paraguay 0-1 France
Quarter-final
France 2-0 Morocco
Semi-final
France 0-2 Spain
Who will take over from Deschamps?
France are going to be looking for their first new manager since 2012 after Deschamps departs following the World Cup.
But they’re bound to be delighted with their next boss…
Zinedine Zidane has been widely reported to have already reached a verbal agreement with the French Football Federation (FFF).
The iconic midfielder is expected to succeed Deschamps, five years after his last role as a manager.
Since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, Zidane has not had another job, but did reveal his dream to lead the national team last year.
He said: “I’d like to be the head coach of the France team one day.”
3
And it seems like he will be achieving that goal when Deschamps steps back from his position after the World Cup.
If it is Zidane that eventually succeeds Deschamps then he will be immediately tasked with leading France in their Nations League campaign in September.
Les Bleus have been grouped with Belgium, Italy and Turkey as they look to lift the trophy for the second time after achieving success in the 2020/21 season.
Zidane will also have an embarrassment of riches at his disposal when it comes to his squad shake-up.
Kylian Mbappe is likely to remain as France captain with Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele at his side.
The emergence of Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise and Manu Kone at the World Cup will no doubt please the incoming coach ahead of future international tournaments.
And with further prospects such as PSG-bound Maghnes Akliouche, highly-rated Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser and Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki, the future is certainly bright for France.
Listen talkSPORT through the website or find us on DAB digital radio through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Download and listen to all our live commentaries via the talkSPORT app.
For the latest odds and bet boosts for every big event, visit talkSPORT BET.
Subscribe to the talkSPORT YouTube channel for news, views and analysis plus our regular goals show and for more, follow us on talkSPORT Facebook and talkSPORT on X.
