The adventure therefore ended in the semi-final for the French team. Laborious, not to say worrying, throughout the competition, this time they came up against a team stronger than them. This Spain led by Nico Williams, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal confirmed what they have shown for three weeks, a well-oiled collective and an offensive animation capable of destabilizing all defenses. Even that of the French team, which had been very impermeable until then.
Inevitably, the question of the future of these Tricolores comes up. That of Didier Deschamps will inevitably be put back on the table, as after each international competition.You are formidablehe complained yesterday at a press conference. Ask my president. I just lost a semi-final, do you think that… I respect you, try to respect people who have responsibilities too. I tell you this in all tranquility. I come to answer questions, but I’m not going to answer this one. Maybe you shouldn’t have even asked me.»
Difficulties in offensive animation and group management
Annoyed, in addition to the frustration of this elimination at the gates of the final, the boss of the Blues is nevertheless targeted by many critics. The pressure is even a little stronger than usual, and this, for several reasons. There is already the frankly disappointing overall level. The Blues only scored one goal in the game, that of Randal Kolo-Muani yesterday against Spain. In his defense, he was abandoned by his usual offensive executives, Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann at the head.
The captain and vice-captain completely failed in this tournament, a first since they started playing for the French team. With their poor form, Deschamps had to adapt, but he failed to find the right formula, regularly changing formations between 4-3-3 and 4-4-2, tactics and men (Dembélé, Thuram, Kolo Muani, Barcola, Giroud), while forgetting some. We are of course thinking of players who had almost no playing time, like Kingsley Coman. The management of the group was inevitably affected.
A contract until 2026
In terms of good deeds, Deschamps can boast of having found a particularly solid defensive base. Jules Koundé revealed himself in this position that he does not like, and Mike Maignan assured for his first tournament in the shoes of a starter. So many elements that will have to be put in the balance when studying the case of the coach at the FFF. A contract binds the two parties until 2026, the next World Cup in North America.
But another fact must be taken into account. The president of the federation has changed to Philippe Diallo, successor to Noël Le Graët. The latter was particularly close to Didier Deschamps. What will happen with the president of the FFF? In any case, it is difficult to imagine DD resigning even if he has always placed the French team before himself. Some will say that a successor is already designated in the person of Zinedine Zidane, who has been free for 3 years now and is biding his time.
