Deschamps set for bittersweet ending to France reign as Zidane waits

Didier Deschamps will bring his remarkable 14-year reign as France's head coach to a close on Saturday, following the World Cup third-place playoff match against England. His departure marks the end of an era for Les Bleus, during which he achieved significant success as both a player and a coach.

Deschamps, 57, had aimed to secure a third World Cup title for France, having previously captained the team to their historic 1998 victory and coached them to glory in 2018. Despite a strong performance throughout the 2026 tournament, France's campaign ended with a painful 2-0 semi-final loss to Spain in Arlington, Texas. This defeat prevented them from reaching a third consecutive World Cup final and leaves them competing for bronze.

While Deschamps expressed a pragmatic outlook on his departure, acknowledging both magical and difficult moments, the focus is already shifting to his successor. Zinedine Zidane, a legendary former French player and Deschamps' ex-teammate, is the widely anticipated candidate to take the helm. Zidane's potential appointment comes after Deschamps transformed the French national team from its low point in 2010, leading them to consistent semi-final appearances in major competitions.

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I had the privilege of experiencing moments that were magical, and others that were difficult. But life goes on. I’m a positive person, and I know things will be good, too. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.

Deschamps' coaching tenure was not without its challenges, including a Euro 2016 final loss on home soil and a penalty shootout defeat in the 2022 World Cup final. However, his ability to guide France to at least the semi-finals in five of his seven major tournaments highlights his consistent success. He recently commented on his enduring effectiveness, suggesting it might be due to "having very good players" and not being "too bad" at his job.

In recent years, Deschamps has been credited with reinventing France's playing style, moving towards a more expansive approach. He has given attacking stars like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise greater freedom. However, the semi-final loss to Spain has raised questions about whether a more cautious strategy might have been beneficial in that crucial match.

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I don’t know, having very good players, I guess. But I can’t be doing my job too badly.