Didier Deschampsappointed to his position as coach after Euro-2012 to replace Laurent Blancwill indeed return after the 2026 World Cup organized in the United States, Canada and Mexico (a competition for which the Blues are not yet qualified).
“It will be 2026. I have been here since 2012, I am scheduled until 2026… the next World Cup. It will stop there, because it has to stop at some point. In my head it’s very clear I did my time too, with the same desire, the same passion to keep the French team at the highest level, but 2026 is very good,” declared the 56-year-old technician. record longevity in his position (160 games).
“This announcement did not surprise me. Didier (Deschamps) gave everything for this French team”, testified Alain Boghossian, RTL consultant but also 1998 world champion with “DD”. And continued: “He leaves himself some timing to be able to prepare for the last event (. ..) It’s a time to have peace of mind.“
For him, “it’s not good or bad news.” “14 years is huge. In France, this is a first. He won titles, made a lot of finals, the second World Cup, it was exceptional in 2018.” Believing that “there comes a time when people want change”.
“Zidane is biding his time”
With the scheduled end of the long Deschamps chapter, speculation will now be rife regarding the identity of his successor. One name inevitably and naturally comes to mind: that of Zinédine Zidane.
Icon of French football and sportthe former N.10, aged 52, has never hidden that he dreamed of the job. In reserve for the Republic since he finished his second stint at Real Madrid in 2021, the three-time winner of the Champions League on the Merengue bench (2016, 2017 and 2018) logically acts as No.1 contender.
“Zidane bides his time. He's been a contender for a few years. We're all waiting for it. It was his dream”, according to Alain Boghossian. In his eyes, “Zizou” will be “the future coach of the France team”. And to conclude: “But be careful, the task will not be easy, since Didier Deschamps has put the cursor high enough.”
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