Didier Deschamps is preparing for one final mission with France as the veteran coach looks to bring down the curtain on his remarkable reign by leading Les Bleus to World Cup glory once again in North America.
After 14 years in charge, Deschamps will step aside following the tournament, ending one of the most successful eras in French football history. The 57-year-old leaves behind a legacy that includes a World Cup triumph in 2018, a runners-up finish in 2022 and the restoration of France as a dominant force in international football.
France arrive in the United States as the world’s top-ranked side and among the favourites to lift the trophy. Having won the World Cup in Russia eight years ago before losing a dramatic final to Argentina on penalties in Qatar, Les Bleus are now chasing a third straight appearance in the final.
Only West Germany between 1982 and 1990, and Brazil from 1994 to 2002, have previously managed that feat.
“It is a funny feeling,” Deschamps said recently after naming his final World Cup squad as coach.
“I usually try to hide my emotions. But I am fine with it all. What has happened is in the past, and has been done quite well — if it hadn’t I wouldn’t still be here after 14 years.
“Now all my energy is focused on this World Cup.”
Deschamps took over the national team in 2012 when French football was still recovering from the humiliation of the 2010 World Cup, where a player revolt against coach Raymond Domenech plunged the team into crisis.
Under his leadership, France quickly re-established themselves among the elite nations of world football.
A quarter-final defeat to eventual champions Germany at the 2014 World Cup marked the beginning of France’s resurgence before Deschamps guided the hosts to the Euro 2016 final, where they suffered extra-time heartbreak against Portugal in Paris.
By then, a talented new generation featuring Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann had emerged, and the arrival of Kylian Mbappe transformed France into a global powerhouse.
Mbappe burst onto the international stage as a teenager and starred in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph in Moscow. Four years later, he scored a hat-trick in the final against Argentina, but Lionel Messi ultimately lifted the trophy after one of the greatest finals in tournament history.
This year’s tournament will be the seventh major competition overseen by Deschamps, whose record includes one World Cup title, a Nations League triumph in 2021 and two final defeats.
It is widely expected that former France great Zinedine Zidane, Deschamps’ teammate during the 1998 World Cup-winning campaign, will replace him after the tournament.
Deschamps’ success has often been built on pragmatism rather than flair, despite the abundance of attacking talent available to him. He came under criticism during Euro 2024 as France reached the semi-finals while scoring only four goals in six matches, including two own-goals and a penalty.
“If you are bored you can watch something else,” Deschamps said in response to criticism over France’s style of play during that tournament.
However, France have looked increasingly dangerous over the last year with an attack built around Mbappe, Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele and Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise.
Deschamps himself boasts one of the most decorated careers in football. As captain, he led France to World Cup glory on home soil in 1998 and followed it up with victory at Euro 2000.
At club level, he captained Marseille to their historic Champions League triumph in 1993 before later winning Europe’s top club competition again with Juventus.
After retiring at the age of 32, he moved seamlessly into coaching, guiding Monaco to the Champions League final in 2004 and winning the French title with Marseille in 2010.
Now, one final challenge awaits.
If France lift the trophy at MetLife Stadium on July 19, Deschamps will become only the second coach in history to win two World Cups, matching the achievement of Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo in the 1930s.
Beyond that, his future remains uncertain.
“I’m not ruling anything out,” Deschamps said recently.
“I’m available, as everyone knows. We will see.”
Courtesy: BSS/AFP
