The bitter failure of the Blues and their inglorious performance at Euro 2024 do not call into question the immediate future of coach Didier Deschamps, supported by the FFF, but the contours of the France group could change significantly with a view to the 2026 World Cup.
Deschamps confirmed but credit started
Under contract until 2026, Didier Deschamps will continue his tenure that began in 2012. The 55-year-old coach, who already has the longest tenure in this position in the history of the Tricolores, certainly does not intend to hang up his boots even if he is the subject of strong criticism after a lackluster tournament and very disappointing performances from his troops (4 goals scored in 6 matches, including a penalty and two own goals).
Asked about his future on Tuesday just after the elimination against Spain in the semi-final (2-1), he did not hide his annoyance.
“Ask my president. I respect you, try to respect people who have responsibilities. I’m not going to answer that one today, but you know very well what my president thinks,” he said.
The head of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, confirmed him in his role the day after the clash against La Roja.
“I don’t see any reason to question his contract. Past results speak in his favour and the objectives have been achieved. Didier will continue his mission […] “We must keep the French team moving in this direction,” he told L’Équipe.
In terms of laurels collected, it is indeed difficult to do better than Deschamps, who in 12 years has won a world title (2018) and a Nations League (2021) while reaching the final of Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup. But is he not at the end of his cycle?
There is little chance that the coach, who has always worshipped results, whatever the manner and spectacle offered, will change his philosophy. But if he wants to have peace and not see the shadow of the legend Zinedine Zidane, the natural candidate for his possible succession, loom over him, he would do well to negotiate his next meetings at the start of the school year, with the start of the Nations League against Italy and then Belgium, on September 6 and 9.
A difficult start to this event would weaken him even more before he starts qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in March 2025.
A group to be regenerated around Mbappé
Failing to fundamentally change his tactical orientations, will Deschamps play the opening within his group? One thing is certain, he will logically continue to build around captain Kylian Mbappé.
The coach will, however, have to think about alternatives, which have been so lacking in Germany to compensate for the failures of his superstar and the other technical leader, Antoine Griezmann.
Apart from the two PSG attackers Randal Kolo Muani, who scored in the semi-final and was behind the victory in the round of 16 against Belgium (1-0), and the young Bradley Barcola (21 years old), no one stood out in the attacking sector.
The international retirement of Olivier Giroud and the unconvincing appearances of Marcus Thuram, who does not seem to have the required international level, open up prospects for the No.9 position, even if the candidates are not numerous.
We will also have to watch out for the fate of Griezmann in blue, who will be 35 in 2026. This historic player, one of the main architects of the 2018 world title, experienced a nightmarish Euro and ended up as a substitute in the semi-final.
He revealed on Tuesday that he “still wants” to continue with the national team while half-heartedly criticising Deschamps’ choices.
“I started badly, but I tried to give my all, with a lot of tactical changes and positions, I had to adapt all the time,” he explained.
The same uncertainty surrounds N’Golo Kanté (33 years old), exiled in Saudi Arabia, but surprise guest of the Euro in midfield. The ex-Chelsea player, after an excellent start, seemed to mark the occasion physically with the succession of matches.
For the rest, whether in midfield, defense or goalkeeping, the structure should remain the same.