Didier Deschamps will remain in charge of the French National Team until 2026, it has been announced, taking charge of Les Blues for the upcoming European Championships in Germany, as well as the 2026 World Cup finals in the USA.
There had been significant speculation that the French side may look for a change, with former France legend and Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane often considered to be waiting in the wings to take the reins.
However, the French Football Federation (FFF) have opted to stick with Deschamps, who guided them to the World Cup in 2018 and then to a final in Qatar 2022, which they only narrowly lost on penalties to Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
“The French Football Federation and Noël Le Graët, its president, are pleased to announce the extension of Didier Deschamps at the head of the French team until June 2026”, an official statement read.
“Guy Stéphan, assistant to Didier Deschamps, Franck Raviot , goalkeeping coach, and Cyril Moine , physical trainer, will also continue their mission in the French team”, the FFF added.
La Fédération Française de Football et Noël Le Graët, son président, sont heureux d’annoncer la prolongation de 𝗗𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀 à la tête de l’Équipe de France jusqu’au mois de juin 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
https://t.co/4CawVszXsS#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/W2YV4bOVf3
— Equipe de France
(@equipedefrance) January 7, 2023
It will leave Les Blues with a solid footing on which to undergo the squad overhaul that is necessary to continue competing. Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris are unlikely to feature at another major tournament, while Karim Benzema has announced his retirement.
And, with Kylian Mbappe leading the line ahead of such talent, it is hard not to make them favourites for just about every competition that they enter at the moment.
