We will have plenty of time to take stock of Didier Deschamps’ double seven-year term. In any case, it is he who will decide to give the painting its final appearance. The days that separate us from July 19, 2026, date of the North American World Cup final and now the expiration date of the omnipotent national coach, may bring their share of crazy victories, boring matches, goals from Randal Kolo Muani , bland press conferences and pre-established lists. Why not new trophies too, since a Nations League in the spring and a World Cup will be at stake. But through the information delivered Tuesday evening by the daily The Teamspilling the beans that La Dèche will announce this Wednesday at 1 p.m. of TF1 the end of his adventure with the Blues, reminds us above all of the capacity – or rather the unhealthy obsession – of Double D to control time. Again, and always.
Epiphany and premonitions
This time, it’s January 8, after the kisses under the mistletoe (not Stéphan, the other), between two king cakes, and the day after a day full of news (the ten years of the attack against Charlie Hebdo, planned, and the death of Jean-Marie Le Pen, fortuitous), that the Basque decided to put his crown back on the line. Two years and one day after his last extension, recorded by a Noël Le Graët awaiting departure. This decision had a good month to work through his head. It will take almost 20 to be implemented.
Didier Deschamps knows that this timing allows him to cushion the “shock”. He will not return to Clairefontaine until March, and between now and the World Cup – if France validates his presence – the subject will have time to be digested. Doing it here and now will also allow the federation and its president Philippe Diallo to organize the rest (“Does anyone have Zinédine Zidane’s number? ») and, who knows, to prepare a more flashy tribute than the one made to Antoine Griezmann (“What do you mean there was no tribute for Grizou? »).
The one who always placed “the interest of the French team above all else” also knows how important it is to take care of your discharge. The only other of his predecessors to have been crowned world champion, Aimé Jacquet, had also taken the lead, by making it official in March 1998 that his mission would end on July 13 of the same year, “after having done the day before, [son] lap of honor at the Stade de France, after the coronation of the French team ». Only Deschamps will be able to try to have the same talent for premonition, but it will always be more brilliant than the announcement of Jacques Santini to join Tottenham a few days before attacking Euro 2004, the departure with his tail between the legs of Laurent Blanc in 2012 or, worse, the dismissal of Raymond Domenech for serious misconduct in 2010. No, Didier, 56 years old and 165 matches on the French bench, is done from another wood.
The beginning of the end
Over the past 12 years, he has shaped a group in his image. Over the past 12 years, he has worked to put the rooster back at the top of international football. Over the past 12 years, he has tried to consolidate this thread between the Blues and the French. The year 2024 has brought everything that can haunt it: a team which has seen its strongest executives leave, individuals taking precedence over the collective, results at half mast, and a public which can no longer cope. get excited about matches without relief. « On the contrary, it will free everyone, starting with him, because he has been subject to very unfair criticism for years. yearsreplied Philippe Diallo the evening of the news in The Team. He wants to protect the players. This will clarify the situation. »
Given the immense consideration I have for the French team, it would be impossible for me to “continue for the sake of continuing”.
In 2022, before experiencing this thrill ride that was the World Cup in Qatar, we asked him why go back, even when we won everything. Here is his response: “The day I ask myself this question, I stop. Given the immense consideration I have for the French team, it would be impossible for me to “continue for the sake of continuing”. I also thought like that when I was a player. At the very high level, it is very difficult to win, but I agree with you: it is even more complicated to maintain yourself at such a high level. » A way of reminding us that if there is one thing that we cannot completely control, all Didier Deschamps that we are, it is the results. It remains to be seen whether the clock master has the ability to relive one of these glory days.
Survey: Has Didier Deschamps’ tenure at the head of the Blues been too long?
