Kombouaré pays tribute to Deschamps after the announcement of his departure and knights his “legitimate” successor

Antoine Kombouaré on Wednesday welcomed the decision of Didier Deschamps to leave his position at the head of the France team at the end of the 2026 World Cup. Former teammate and friend of the Blues coach, the Nantes coach asked more respect for the performances accomplished by the Tricolores under the mandate of the former midfielder.

The announcement of the future departure of Didier Deschamps was welcomed by many players in French football. Like Christophe Dugarry, Lucas Hernandez and Noël Le Graët and Philippe Diallo, Antoine Kombouaré took advantage of his return to a press conference to pay a nice tribute to the current coach of the Blues. At the time of Didier Deschamps' extension in 2023, the coach said that the technician was “the best coach in the world” and his “friend”. Unsurprisingly, the speech remained the same this Wednesday.

“He’s still the best coach in the world and he’s still my friend,” replied Antoine Kombouaré two days before the match between Nantes and Monaco at the opening of the 17th day of Ligue 1. “It’s a decision that he belongs. I think he took the time to think and today if he made this decision, it’s because it’s the right one.”

>> All the information on the future of Didier Deschamps

Kombouaré congratulates Deschamps for his “enormous work” and does not forget 2026

Former teammate of the boss of the Blues, Antoine Kombouaré did not expand on the future of Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup that the French team hopes to play in Canada, the United States and Mexico. An American World Cup which will constitute the coach's last objective before his departure.

“We can only respect this decision. But I think that, already, we must congratulate him for the enormous work he did with the selection and the results he had. And above all, I believe that he he has two competitions left,” continued the Kanak coach of the Canaries. “The sort of thing… the Nations League and the World Cup.”

Why Deschamps’ work “doesn’t make you dream” Kombouaré

Antoine Kombouaré then embarked on a small attempt to try to understand the choice made publicly this Wednesday by Didier Deschamps. Best coach in the history of the Blues according to him, the former captain of France 98 is also the technician who stayed the longest on the bench of the French team. The announcement of his departure at the end of his contract after more than a decade is quite easy to understand according to the Nantes coach.

“He must also be tired. We must not forget that it will be 14 years at the head of the selection and I believe that it is a record in France,” continued Antoine Kombouaré to journalists. “It’s the one that will have stayed the longest.”

Before specifying whether such longevity made him dream: “No, no, it doesn't make you dream. Oh no! At all. Because already for us, on our jobs it's not easy, but when you are a coach, it's a very complicated position. We just have to congratulate him for the enormous work and especially the success he has had with the France team. It's exceptional.

Kombouaré judges Zidane “legitimate” to succeed Deschamps

And without too much surprise once Didier Deschamps' praise was over, Antoine Kombouaré shared a little message for one of the favorite tracks to succeed him: Zinédine Zidane.

“The one who is legitimate to replace him, if there is one who can claim this position because he is free and who people want to see, it is Zizou”, concluded the Nantes coach this Wednesday in front of the press. “I also want to see what he will do, if he is chosen obviously. It would be interesting.”