Didier Deschamps ‘will remain as France boss until after the 2022 World Cup’ despite their shock Euro 2020 last-16 defeat by Switzerland… with Les Bleus boss’ deal expiring after tournament in Qatar
Didier Deschamps will be staying on as France boss despite their shock last-16 exit at the hands of Switzerland at Euro 2020 earlier this week, according to reports.
The world champions crashed out of the tournament after Kylian Mbappe’s miss in the penalty shootout in Bucharest, with the score level at 3-3 after extra time.
It has since been reported rifts took place between some of the players including Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot, Benjamin Pavard and Raphael Varane, as well as some of the France stars’ families clashing after the game.
Didier Deschamps will reportedly be staying on as France boss despite their shock exit at Euro 2020
France were beaten on penalties by Switzerland to exit the tournament at the last 16 stage
Deschamps – France’s longest-serving boss – was also heavily criticised by the French press and reports suggest his former international team-mate Zinedine Zidane is eyeing his job after leaving Real Madrid earlier this summer.
But according to Le Parisien, the 52-year-old is set to see out the rest of his contract, which expires in December 2022 following France’s attempt to defend their World Cup crown in Qatar.
French FA President Noel Le Graet has been a huge supporter of Deschamps since he took over from Laurent Blanc in 2012, having gone on to manage 117 games as Les Bleus boss.
But in an interview with Le Figaro earlier this week, Le Graet appeared more evasive about Deschamps future.
Reports of players having rows on the pitch in Bucharest have since emerged in the French press
‘He needs to reflect, me too, we will see each other away from the FFF [French Football Federation] to spend a day together, to take stock of his motivation and his desire,’ Le Graet said.
‘We are not going to question everything, after all that he did. We’re talking about a man who won everything and made us win the World Cup in 2018.
‘I want to see what his state of mind is, if his motivation is intact, and mine too.’
Asked about the recurring rumours of Zidane’s arrival, Le Graet remained coy, adding: ‘He’s a man I like. Zidane will one day arrive as head coach of Les Bleus. When? I do not know. I have no scoop to tell you.’
Zinedine Zidane (R) is being linked with the France job but Le Parisien claim Deschamps will stay until after France’s defence of their World Cup crown
Deschamps admitted before the tournament he was open to extending his deal, having agreed to fresh terms most recently in December 2019 to take him through until after the next World Cup.
‘I may continue after 2022 with the agreement of my president,’ Deschamps told RTL earlier this month.
‘People have to want to keep me and for that you need results. I will do something else at some point, but I am thriving in this role of manager.
‘I have a contract until December 2022, but today I am not thinking of becoming a club coach. I am very happy, all the conditions are met.’
French FA President Noel Le Graet (right) insists he will hold talks with Deschamps about his future
Deschamps has won 76 of his 117 games in charge of France, recording 23 draws and 18 losses too.
He helped them reach the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup under his stewardship before getting to the final of Euro 2016 on home soil.
The former Juventus star then became just the third man after Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer to win the World Cup as a player and manager after they beat Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 final in Russia.