Didier Deschamps will step down from his role as France head coach when his contract expires at the end of the 2026 World Cup.
Deschamps announced his decision on Wednesday after widespread reports claimed he had opted not to pursue a contract extension on Tuesday.
Deschamps is the longest-serving coach in France's history, having taken over after Laurent Blanc left in 2012.
He led Les Bleus to World Cup success in Russia in 2018, although he has also suffered two defeats in major tournament finals: against Portugal on home soil in the 2016 European Championship and against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Speaking to French broadcaster TF1, he said: “It will be over in 2026. It's very clear in my mind.
“I served my time, with the same desire and passion to keep France at the highest level.
“You have to be able to say: stop, there is a life after this. The most important thing is that France stays at the top, as they have been doing for years.”
3 – Didier Deschamps has become the third person to win the World Cup as a player and as a manager, after Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer. Champion.#WorldCupFinal #WorldCup #FRA #CRO pic.twitter.com/H3zrhkx9rO
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 15, 2018
Deschamps is one of only three men to win the World Cup, both as a player and as a manager, alongside German icon Franz Beckenbauer and Brazil's Mario Zagallo.
He has officiated a total of 163 matches, winning 104, drawing 33 and losing 26. His winning percentage of 63.8%, meanwhile, has only been improved by Jacques Santini (78.6%), Roger Lemerre and Aime Jacquet (both 64.2%).
Deschamps also led France to the Nations League title in 2020-2021, and in March they will face Croatia in the quarter-finals of the 2024-2025 edition.
Depending on their performance in the Nations League, France will participate in the World Cup qualifying in Group D – alongside Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan – or in Group L – with the Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands and Gibraltar.
UEFA's World Cup qualifiers start in March and end 12 months later, with the finals – the first to take place in the new 48-team FIFA format – starting on June 11, 2026.
While Deschamps wants to reach the pinnacle of becoming a three-time World Cup winner, talks will now focus on the candidates to replace him.
Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane was reportedly keen on the role after the 2022 World Cup, but Deschamps was offered a new four-year contract.
Comments