The announcement caused an earthquake on Tuesday evening. In office since 2012, Didier Deschamps has decided to leave his position as French coach at the end of his contract, in the summer of 2026. This will be the end of a 14-year-long story, with the title of champion at stake. of the world in 2018, a victory in the 2021 Nations League and the finals of Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.
Didier Deschamps announced his decision during an interview with the 1 p.m. news on TF1 as part of the launch of the Yellow Pieces operation, of which he is the godfather alongside Brigitte Macron. LCI broadcast a first extract of the interview this Wednesday morning. “I am not here to make an announcement but it will be 2026, he confided with a smile. I’ve been here since 2012, I’m scheduled until 2026, the next World Cup. It will stop there because it has to stop there at some point. In my head, it’s very clear. »
“You have to know how to say stop”
“I served my time with the same desire, the same passion to maintain the French team at the highest level”he added, adding: “But 2026 is very good. » The coach remains vague on the reasons for his choice.
“Afterwards, you have to know how to say stop. There is life after. I don’t know what it will be but it will be very good too. It’s going to be 14 years, that’s a long time too”he continued.
These 14 years obviously constitute a record in the history of the France team. “I’m not here for the records, especially for the demands, he objected, adding again:
“The most important thing is that the French team remains at the top where it has been for many years.” And before turning to the 2026 World Cup, the Blues are expected next March to play the quarter-finals of the Nations League against Croatia.
