The 2026 World Cup as the ultimate challenge. Didier Deschamps, on the bench of the Blues since 2012, announced, Wednesday January 8, that he will leave his functions after the North American World Cup in 2026. In twelve years of mandate (for the moment), the coach of the Blues has straightened out the French team and led it to the heights of world football, and some (rare) disappointments.
July 9, 2012: arrival on the bench
Former captain of the Blues on the field, Didier Deschamps was named coach of the France team at the beginning of July 2012, a few days after the outcome of an anonymous Euro (inglorious elimination in the quarter-final against Spain) and the departure of Laurent Blanc. The native of Bayonne takes back the reins of an unloved team, two years after the events in Knysna, which has not shone for a long time on the field. “It is a great pride and an honor to have this responsibility. I am very attached to this blue, white and red jersey”he will explain during his very first press conference as coach, this Monday July 9. “The French team, becoming a coach, it’s something that is written deep within me.”
November 19, 2013: the barrage against Ukraine rekindles the flame
After a year and a half in office, Didier Deschamps faces his first crisis. Beaten in their qualifying group for the 2014 World Cup by the Spaniards, their Blues must go through the play-off box. Having missed the first leg with a defeat in kyiv (2-0), the French team, up against the wall, will get its ticket to Brazil thanks to a big victory (3-0), on November 19, 2013 , in front of a packed Stade de France and crazy supporters. Qualified for the World Cup in the land of football, the Blues are starting to reconnect with their audience. “It’s the magic of football. We succeeded in this match. We had missed (the first leg in Ukraine). It’s very important for French football to be present in Brazil”he slipped.
July 10, 2016: the heartbreak of the Euro final lost at home
Four years after his arrival on the bench, Didier Deschamps is already leading the Blues to a first final, after a month of a Euro in France which captured the hearts of all French supporters. On the pitch of the Stade de France, on July 10, 2016, the former Marseillais and his men were held for a long time by Portugal, came within a post of André-Pierre Gignac to win their first title, but were finally beaten in overtime by the formation of Cristiano Ronaldo (1-0).
July 15, 2018: the second star on the jersey
It’s the summer that will forever remain as the most beautiful summer of Didier Deschamps’ Blues. At the end of an impressive World Cup in Russia and a controlled final against the Croatian novice (4-2), the French team is crowned world champion for the second time in its history. Twenty years after lifting the World Cup as captain of the Blues and winning the first star, Didier Deschamps joins the very exclusive club of double winners as a player and coach (with Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer).
June 28, 2021: the failure of the Euro against Switzerland
There were highs but also lows, like this premature elimination in the round of 16 of the Euro against Switzerland, on June 28, 2021. While they had a two-goal lead with a quarter of an hour left At the final whistle, the Blues were pulled back and were finally eliminated on penalties (3-3, 5-4). The coach is singled out for his various failed tactical changes, in what represents the biggest failure of his mandate. In an interview given to L’Equipe two months later, the boss of the Blues assumes his responsibilities. “I don’t want to look for excuses. I know that I am the only one responsible. My role requires that. I assume it. But I also know that I have this capacity to change. When things go well, everything is not rosy; when things go wrong, everything is not black either.he will summarize.
December 18, 2022: on the verge of a second coronation
In Qatar, Didier Deschamps and the Blues will experience another disappointment in the final, on December 18, 2022, during a meeting with a crazy and memorable scenario. Having missed out on their match for 80 minutes against Argentina, the France team was put back in the match thanks to a quick double from Kylian Mbappé. After extra time with twists and turns, the Blues lost once again on penalties (3-3, 4-2) and let their dream of retaining their crown slip away. “There were a lot of emotions but it was cruel in the end. We came close to something that we could have touched, but that’s not the case… (…) the dream doesn’t come true. is not materialized”will summarize the coach.
