Didier Deschamps has announced that he will step down as manager of the France national football team after the 2026 World Cup, bringing an end to a successful era in French football.
Deschamps, 56, has been at the helm of the French team since 2012, following Laurent Blanc’s resignation. Under his leadership, France triumphed at the 2018 World Cup, reached the finals of both the 2022 World Cup and the 2016 UEFA European Championship, and consistently maintained a top-tier position in global football.
In an interview with French broadcasters TF1 and LCI, Deschamps confirmed his decision, saying, “I’ve been here since 2012, and I’m scheduled until 2026, the next World Cup. It will stop there because it has to stop at some point. In my head, it’s very clear.”
Deschamps stressed that his departure would mark the end of a long and rewarding chapter in his career, acknowledging the difficulty of leaving the role but emphasizing the need to know when to step away. “There is life after this,” he added, noting that his tenure would span 14 years, a remarkable length for a national team manager.
While Deschamps’ achievements speak for themselves, his tenure has not been without controversy. Although his pragmatic approach has yielded significant success, some critics have questioned his relatively conservative tactics, especially in light of the attacking talent available in the French squad.
Despite these criticisms, Deschamps’ tenure is defined by his impressive tournament record, including his place as only the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and manager, joining Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer. His tenure has also seen France consistently reach the knockout stages of major tournaments.
The heavy favourite to succeed Deschamps is former French international Zinedine Zidane, who led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles and was Deschamps’ teammate during France’s 1998 World Cup victory. Zidane has been without a managerial position since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.
Deschamps’ decision to leave after the 2026 World Cup, or sooner if France fail to qualify, marks the end of a distinguished era. His tenure is set to leave a lasting legacy on the national team and in the wider football world.
Source:TheDotNews