MY ACCOUNT
Didier Deschamps is set for a first round of talks about his future as France coach this week after the team’s World Cup final defeat to Argentina.
His contract is up, but it is widely expected there will be another deal on offer if Deschamps wishes to stay on and target Euro 2024 success.
The disappointment of missing out on lifting the World Cup for a second time, four years after triumphing at Russia 2018, will take time to sink in.
That is why discussions over Deschamps’ future were not a matter for Monday, as the team travelled back to Paris.
However, French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet does not want to waste any time, and he is seeking clarity so has promised to call Deschamps by Wednesday at the latest.
Le Graet told French broadcaster BFMTV on Monday: “I will call him tomorrow or the day after tomorrow when he has recovered, too. We will see each other as soon as possible, of course.”
Speaking in the aftermath of the final, Deschamps said on Sunday night in Qatar that a decision about his future was one for early in the new year.
Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has long been linked as the likely next national team coach, but he may have to wait a while longer if Deschamps decides he still has the hunger required for the job.
Former midfielder Deschamps has completed a decade in charge of Les Bleus, and said on Sunday when asked about his future with the team: “You’re not the first to ask. Even if we had won, I would not be able to answer that tonight.
“Of course, I am very sad for the players and staff, but I’ll have a meeting with the [FFF] president at the start of next year and then you’ll find out.”
France were beaten 4-2 on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw against Argentina, with Kylian Mbappe hitting two penalties in a rare World Cup final hat-trick but still ending on the losing side.
French president Emmanuel Macron told RMC Sport on Sunday he had encouraged the 54-year-old Deschamps to remain in post, saying: “Of course, I asked Didier Deschamps to continue, I want him to continue!”
