A stone’s throw from Monaco in the south-east of France lies the town of Cap-d’Ail. It is a picture-perfect Cote d’Azur resort — all crystal blue waters, hidden beaches and beautiful villas.
It is also the home of Didier Deschamps, and feels an ideal place for him to retire after a 12-year stint as France’s manager, with a 2018 World Cup win, a Nations League triumph and two more major finals on his CV.
But despite France losing to Spain 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and criticism of his “boring” football, it seems the 55-year-old has no plans to quit.
Deschamps’ contract was due to expire after the 2022 World Cup but, in January, he signed an extension until 2026. It was a move facilitated by then-French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet with whom Deschamps had a very close relationship. When asked about his future following France’s defeat, Deschamps gave a prickly response.
“You’re impressive,” he said, irritably. “Ask my president… I’ve just lost a semi-final. Do you think I’m going to answer already? I respect you, but try to respect the people who have responsibilities too. I’m telling you this calmly. What happened, happened. You know very well the situation and what my president thinks. You shouldn’t have even asked the question.”
That president is Philippe Diallo, who was elected last year when, a month after Deschamps renewed his contract, Le Graet, aged 81 having spent 11 years in office, resigned following claims of sexual harassment and bullying at the FFF. Le Graet denies the allegations.
Diallo, who set the target to reach the semi-finals, defended his coach. “Deschamps will continue his mission,” he told L’Equipe on Wednesday, moments before boarding a flight back to Paris.
In his eyes, despite Kylian Mbappe describing the competition as a “failure”, Deschamps fulfilled the tournament objective — an achievement that shows “high-level performance” from a team among “the elite of footballing nations”. According to him, there is no need to question his contract situation. “Didier has led this team in the best possible way during this Euros,” he added.
Diallo also defended Deschamps’s functional, risk-averse, defence-first style of play, on France radio station RTL, calling the criticism “harsh” given the tournament’s competitiveness. Discussions between the two will take place over the next few days to see how Deschamps feels about carrying on but Diallo has not had any sense the France manager would not continue until 2026. That sentiment is supported by Deschamps’ annoyance that the question was even posed in the post-match press conference.
Didier Deschamps cuts a disconsolate figure on the France coach after their defeat to Spain (Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images)
Diallo has also referenced the coach’s “exceptional” career since he took over in 2012, which has seen him reach at least the semi-finals of four of the last six major tournaments. “Many nations are envious of our results,” said Diallo. And it is hard to find another coach who has such a consistent track record.
France fell flat at this Euros, scoring just one goal from open play (their other efforts were two own goals and a penalty), and Deschamps took full responsibility even though his best players did not show up. Mbappe had a bumpy tournament and Griezmann was a shell of himself.
Les Bleus lacked a clinical edge and creativity in attacking midfield. Deschamps admitted that and tried five different attacking systems (in shape and personnel) in six games but his players did not deliver.
Questions have been raised over whether Deschamps is too old-school in his methods but the message from within the France camp was that he knows how to adapt and still manages to connect with players from different generations.
“Today’s coaching job is all about human relationships and getting the best out of the player,” Guy Stephan, his assistant of 15 years, told The Athletic earlier in the tournament. “He has evolved. He’s closer to the players than he used to be.”
“He makes time for every player,” said Youssouf Fofana before the semi-final. “He spends time with those who are a bit more sensitive, who need him more. He doesn’t want to please us, he is there to do his job.”
Kylian Mbappe felt France had failed at Euro 2024 (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Despite the lacklustre performances, Diallo is an admirer of Deschamps’ “professionalism” and “quest for excellence”. “We need to keep the French team moving in this direction,” he said.
But is Deschamps the one to lead them? The former France captain has been there and done it as a manager — but 12 years is a long time and 14 seems like an eternity. His assistant Stephan will be 69 by the time the 2026 World Cup comes around. Surrounded by a tight-knit group of technical staff — Stephan, goalkeeping coach Franck Raviot and fitness coach Cyril Moine, also signed extensions until 2026 — it will be up to them to decide if they have the energy to keep going.
France’s exit from this Euros also prompted questions about players’ futures. Antoine Griezmann, 33, has already set his sights on the 2026 World Cup but Olivier Giroud has said his goodbyes and others may follow. Six of Deschamps’ 25-man squad in Germany were aged 30 or over.
Who will be best placed to add that spark to go again? Is there a need for an injection of new energy and ideas? In some ways, it would seem an understandable and natural end for Deschamps to walk away now and enjoy life in Cap-d’Ail — the scenery, the cuisine and padel (one of his favourite hobbies).
“He’s hanging on — that’s enough, stop,” RMC pundit Daniel Rolo said on the show AfterFoot. “Go away, go play padel in peace in Monaco, in the sun. Move on.”
French fans are disappointed with the uninspiring performances and the allure of French legend Zinedine Zidane waiting, still without a job after leaving Real Madrid in 2021, is a tempting prospect. No agreement has been made but he is the name on everyone’s lips to replace Deschamps should the occasion arise.
When asked about the Deschamps-Zidane debate, Diallo did not even utter the former Madrid coach’s name and unequivocally reinforced his support for Deschamps, describing him as “the greatest coach in the history of the French team”.
The prospect of Zidane taking over is a Hollywood script. He is a glamorous, fresh figure who would capture the nation’s hearts — a stark contrast to Deschamps, whose ‘water-carrier’ reputation as a player still hangs over him. But it would be unlikely the FFF would risk sacrificing results just to appease those who have become bored.
Zinedine Zidane is wanted by many French fans (Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)
France are next in action against Italy in September’s UEFA Nations League, and it would take a disaster for Deschamps to be sacked. There are also the FFF presidential elections in December. Diallo is likely to be re-elected given there is not a clear alternative candidate who would threaten his position.
Would Diallo dare fire Deschamps and create turmoil before his election? Although the president does not share the same close relationship as his predecessor, it is in both Diallo’s and Deschamps’ interests to work together.
But Stephan’s words are ringing loud: “If we’re holding up today, it’s because we’re winning games. That’s a coach’s career. It can’t last with defeats — it’s impossible.”
If you win, it doesn’t matter if you’re boring; when you lose, everyone reminds you. Deschamps lost on Tuesday and has shed some supporters on the way.
His position has been slightly weakened but ultimately he holds the cards. Stepping away at the right time is important and it is even more satisfying when done on your own terms. Ever the competitor, Deschamps will want to go out on a high — but as a pragmatist, he will also know that happy endings are hard to come by.
(Top photo: Tobias Schwarz/AFP via Getty Images)
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