The news hit like a bombshell. Last night, several French media, including Le Figaroannounced the upcoming departure of Didier Deschamps. Indeed, the 56-year-old technician will leave the Blues at the end of his contract in 2026. He will also make it official this Wednesday in the 1 p.m. TF1. It will inevitably be a special and special moment for the former coach of Olympique de Marseille who has held this position since 2012. If nothing changes by 2026, he will have spent 14 years at the head of the France team. A longevity record for a coach.
The one who managed 165 matches, for a record of 105 victories, 34 draws and 26 defeats, has also experienced numerous successes since the start of his mandate. The most notable is, without a doubt, the coronation in Russia during the 2018 World Cup. A competition that he had already won as a player. But the Bayonne native has experienced some lows, especially in recent months. Indeed, he was mainly criticized for the game produced by his team or for certain choices when making his lists. Some supporters, journalists and consultants even called for his departure.
DD is very clear
They won’t have long to wait since DD will leave at the end of its lease in 2026 at the latest, hopefully with a victory at the World Cup. But after this announcement, many questions arise. The first is to know why Deschamps made this decision. This Wednesday, several media revealed the details of his decision. So, The Team explains that he had already mentioned this in private last summer, sometimes in a teasing way. So it’s not really a surprise. For his part, The Parisian and Le Figaro assure that he did not feel any form of weariness and that there was no resignation or sign of depression or unease.
He is still very motivated but he believes he has simply done his time. The Parisian adds that he was not shown the exit door. That The Team confirms by revealing that Philippe Diallo, taken into confidence before the end of year holidays, did not rule out continuing with him after 2026. But DD has decided. He also hoped that his decision and his personal case would not pollute the lives of the Blues next March. He therefore decided to announce his choice several months before so that his group would not be impacted and could concentrate on the matches against Croatia.
Diallo discusses Deschamps’ decision
What the president of the FFF, Philippe Diallo, recognized during an interview with The Team. “We talked about this just before the Christmas holidays. He told me his decision not to go beyond his current contract, in 2026. He told me of this intention and chose to announce it at a time when we are still far from the first match , in March, so that there is no disruption around the team. It’s a personal, responsible and elegant decision, just like the character he is. He is still as motivated and ready to fly the colors of the France team. But he perhaps felt that in 2026, he will have spent more than ten years at the head of the Blues, which is in itself quite exceptional, and that it was time to move on.
Regarding possible wear, Diallo was clear: “I don’t believe it. It is true that the French team, unfortunately, is often the subject of criticism from certain observers. I think that Didier Deschamps’ career is exceptional, marked by the most prestigious titles. At the Euro, it was another semi-final of a big tournament. He was not affected by weariness or criticism. At the end of the competition, I asked him the question. He clearly told me that he was fully invested and pumped up to continue his mission. He does it, because I remind you that we finished at the top of our group for the League of Nations. He is to this day the greatest coach of the France team.” The boss of the FFF also believes that DD will retain its authority among its players despite its announcement. A subject that will undoubtedly come up again during future gatherings.
