The French team showed a particularly worrying face for its return. Despite Bradley Barcola’s early opening, the Blues sank against Italy and finally lost 3-1 on the Parc des Princes pitch. There are many reasons for concern and Didier Deschamps has been the target of very violent criticism since Friday. Comments that did not surprise the former captain of the Blues.
“The rain of criticism that will come? I’m used to it. Even if I’ve won more than I lost,” he thus whispered to the Italian press after having given a lucid speech at the end of the meeting. “I’m not going to be satisfied with what we did. We have to accept it without making excuses. It’s my responsibility and it always will be. We weren’t collectively up to par with what Italy offered us. We were below par,” he confided. An observation shared by many observers and supporters.
“Thank you for everything Mr. Didier Deschamps”
And for many, Didier Deschamps is no longer the man for the job. The memory of 2018 or 2022 is no longer enough and calls for his departure are increasing. “Deschamps must leave his post”, “Thank you for everything Mr. Didier Deschamps. Make way for the future…”, “Deschamps out”, “He must be lucid and leave his place”, “Deschamps must resign”, “Stop!”…. these are some of the messages that flourished on social networks after the meeting, Friday. And the attacks launched against him by many commentators like Daniel Riolo or Walid Acherchour have undoubtedly further ruined his performance.
However, a departure of Didier Deschamps does not seem to be on the agenda. This is evidenced by the comments of Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Federation, in the columns of Figaro. “He has a contract until 2026, he is meeting the objectives and giving satisfaction,” said the boss of the 3F about the man he considers to be the “greatest coach in the history of the French team”.
“Didier is under contract until 2026 so the question is not, today, current. The question of the moment, and I liked this word from Didier Deschamps, to reoxygenate the team,
he added. This reoxygenation is Didier Deschamps’ desire and I share it. I think he will use this League of Nations to prepare for our major objective, the 2026 World Cup. We are building the team so that the Blues can be there in the United States.
