After 14 years spent alongside Didier Deschamps, his staff sent him a farewell letter as modest as it was moving according to the newspaper The Parisian. 21 people co-signed this text, praising the way in which the now ex-coach of the Blues embodied his role: “during all these years, you taught us that there was a way to serve the French team. Always demanding. But also humility, and rigor, solidarity, loyalty (…) It is your permanence at the highest level which is fascinating. You bowed out as you have always lived this role: with modesty. »
Among the signatories are Guy Stéphan (assistant coach), Cyril Moine (physical trainer), Franck Raviot (goalkeeper coach), Philippe Brocherieux (team manager), Mohamed Sanhadji (liaison and security officer), Raphaël Raymond (press manager), Franck Le Gall (doctor), Jean-Yves Vandewalle (osteopath), physiotherapists Alexandre Germain, Clément Hazard, Denis Morcel and Guillaume Vassout, video analysts Thierry Marszalek and Clément Ybert, the journalists and image reporters Guillaume Bigot and Tim Guigon, the cook Xavier Rousseau, the maître d’hôtel Bastien Prud’homme, the stewards Bachir Nehar and Johan Perez, as well as Nicolas Piry, representative of the equipment manufacturer Nike.
The staff letter in full:
“We wanted to speak to you. Because there are thanks you can’t keep to yourself. Thank you for placing your trust in us, for allowing us to share this unique adventure, for offering us a place at your side. During all these years, you taught us that there was a way to serve the French team 🇫🇷. Always demanding. But also with humility, rigor, solidarity, loyalty. And with this idea that has never left you: nothing is more important than the jersey. We’ve heard you say this phrase hundreds of times. But above all, we saw you embody it. For you, this requirement was non-negotiable. And before imposing it on us, you imposed it on yourself. In each of your choices. You taught us that work and convictions are worth more than hype, that responsibilities cannot be claimed: they must be assumed. You taught us that every detail counted: from the field to the kitchen, including the press conference or the treatment room. You taught us to accept defeats without ever making excuses. To stay together when everything was going well and when everything seemed complicated. You taught us that a great team is not just a collection of great players. It is built with those who want to move forward together. You always knew how to remind us that everyone matters. You made us feel like our work had value. Of course, you should never trivialize the exceptional: more than the title of world champion, it is your permanence at the highest level that is fascinating. No coach has reached the final four of a World Cup three times consecutively. History, we are certain, will remember the successes, the records, the finals and the evenings that made an entire country vibrate. We will also keep the memories that no one will ever know. The aside exchanges, the moments of conviviality at the table, the words of comfort after a difficult day. The moments of hesitation when a few words from you put everyone back in motion. You taught us that leadership doesn’t need big speeches. That he could practice calmly. That he must be demanding. Respectful. And deeply human. You bowed out as you have always lived this role: with modesty. Without looking for compliments. Without ever putting yourself above the institution. You dedicated 14 years of your life to managing the French team and giving us the chance to experience it alongside you. We will never forget this opportunity. If the tears flowed in Miami, it’s because it’s complicated to say goodbye after such an adventure. However, we want to say thank you. Thank you for the trust, for your kind demands which made us grow, for the moments which will remain engraved in our memories, for the squid, the pistachio ice cream. From this adventure, there will remain an indelible trace that will bind us for life. The pride of having served the Blues. And the happiness of having done it by your side. »
