“I assure you, I am not retired”Didier Deschamps joked last February to journalists, dismissing the idea of becoming a simple TV or radio consultant again after his withdrawal from the France team. At 57 years old (he was born on October 15), the now ex-national coach from 2012 to 2026 is ready to take on a new challenge as a coach. “La Dèche” has been taking advantage of his vacation since July 18 and the match for 3rd place lost by the Blues against England (4-6). Two months later, is he ready to return to service?
With his immense track record at the head of the French selection (a World Cup and a Nations League, as well as a World Cup final and a European final), Deschamps will not accept just any position. Only prestigious national teams and certain major European clubs will be preferred. It is difficult to see him accepting the golden bridges offered by the clubs of Saudi Arabia or the too tough challenges of Turkish clubs or second-rate selections.
Deschamps hero of RC Lens?
And Ligue 1? A return of the former coach of AS Monaco (2001-2005, for his first experience as a coach) and OM (2009-2012) seems very unlikely. Supporters of RC Lens, however, mention the captain of the 98 world champions since the sidelining of Dino Toppmöller, for the moment replaced by assistant Yannick Cahuzac (who is in the process of obtaining his coaching diploma). “DD” would be welcomed as a hero by Bollaert’s audience if this dream came true.
These Lensois fans are based, in reality, on the interest of their former president Gervais Martel in Didier Deschamps in 2007.
“I tried Didier Deschamps. It almost happened and in the end it was Guy Roux who came. I would have liked to have Frédéric Antonetti, he’s a guy I adore. But we can’t live with regrets, it’s like for players”had entrusted the former boss of RC Lens to The Union in 2023. Martel remains close to President Joseph Oughourlian.
