Didier Deschamps Sets To Step Down As France Manager After 2026 World Cup

According to a report from L’Équipe on Tuesday evening, Didier Deschamps is expected to announce on Wednesday that he plans to resign as the manager of the France national team following the 2026 World Cup.

Deschamps’ deal runs until after the next World Cup, for which Les Bleus have yet to qualify.

He took over from fellow 1998 World Cup winner Laurent Blanc in 2012 and led Les Bleus to the World Cup title in 2018, two years after reaching the European Championship final on home soil.

The former France captain, one of only three individuals to have won football’s most prestigious trophy both as a player and a coach, led the national team to the World Cup final once more in 2022.

They were defeated by Argentina in a penalty shootout following one of the most memorable matches in the tournament’s history.

The French Football President Philippe Diallo also told Reuters that Deschamps would not look to extend his stay after the World Cup, adding, “He will go until the end of his contract, i.e., 2026.”

Deschamps, who had won trophies with every club he managed before becoming France coach, also claimed the 2021 Nations League title with Les Bleus.

As a player, he won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, both as captain.

Known as ‘the water carrier’ by Eric Cantona, Deschamps was a relentless winner. As a coach, he led France to moments of both dull efficiency and dazzling brilliance, including a thrilling 4-3 victory over Argentina in the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup and a 4-2 triumph against Croatia in the final.

While Deschamps’ side has boasted the thrilling attacking talent of Kylian Mbappe, his teams have also shown grit and unmatched defensive ability when it mattered most.

It is uncertain who will succeed him but Zinedine Zidane is the heavy favourite for the job.

“It’s a wise decision. I didn’t send anything and I won’t send anything (to Zidane). But of course, we all hope it will be him after 2026,” Christophe Dugarry, a former teammate of both Zidane and Deschamps and one of the latter’s most vocal critics, told RMC Radio.

“But it’s his choice and it will be linked to discussions with him. But it’s a wish that I have, a personal wish that I’ve had for a long time. I hope it will happen one day. I hope it will be in 2026, from the bottom of my heart.”