French national team: Deschamps explains his departure

18.07.26 FT World Cup

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Last January, Didier Deschamps announced his departure from the French national team bench at the end of his contract after the 2026 World Cup.

In an interview with M6, the French tactician explained the reasons behind this decision.

"It's for the good of the French national team. To be honest, I didn't make this decision for myself. The environment around me had become so suffocating, and the French team doesn't deserve that. This wasn't something decided overnight. I took my time to think it through. Since the announcement, things have been much better for the team. I like to have control, I like to be in control. I could have made a decision before or during the World Cup, but I didn't want to because I have so much respect for the French national team. The team is above everything. It doesn't belong to me. I was on a mission serving it for 14 years. Nothing is above this jersey," explained the former Juventus Turin coach.

Zinédine Zidane is now expected to succeed Deschamps.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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