Deschamps to keep France job despite Euro 2020 embarrassment

8 Jul 2021 17:55 BST
5 min read

Didier Deschamps, France, 2018 World Cup — © ProShots

Didier Deschamps will remain the manager of the France national team, despite their poor performance at Euro 2020.

With remarkable talents like Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba and a squad full of depth in every position, Les Bleus were tipped by many to be the comfortable favourites for this year’s European Championship.

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However, despite navigating a tricky group against Germany, Portugal and Hungary with relative ease, France were then unexpectedly knocked out of the competition in the first knock-out round when they lost on penalties to Switzerland.

As such, some have come to question whether Deschamps’ conservative and defensive tactics now get the best out of a team that won the World Cup in 2018.

However, it now seems as though the 52-year-old coach will be given the opportunity to defend his World Cup title at Qatar next year.

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'We have a coach who has enormous talent'

"He will be the coach of France in Qatar. The matter was settled in three minutes. His desire to continue is very strong, mine was too. It was a very important moment for the team," said Noel Le Graet, the president of the French FA, in an interview with Figaro.

"It is not necessary to throw away everything that has been done. On the contrary, we have young players with a lot of qualities. We have a coach who has enormous qualities."

While few were convinced Deschamps would be sacked, some reports in France did suggest a change in approach and backroom staff may be necessary. But that has also been denied by the French FA president.

“His close staff will not change," added Le Graet. “I've read things in the last few days about Guy Stephan, his deputy, that he's on probation.

“There is not even a line to write about that. Guy is a first class technician, very much appreciated by everyone, he forms a fantastic duo with Didier.

“The same goes for doctor Franck Le Gall, physical trainer Cyril Moine and goalkeeping coach Franck Raviot. He won't change them.”