France prepares to keep Deschamps in charge after Euros exit

France has laid out plans for the future with Didier Deschamps at the helm, despite their disappointing exit from Euro 2024. Under Deschamps, France has maintained an impressive record in major tournaments over the past decade, and there are no intentions to change the coach.

On Tuesday, France’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in Munich dashed their hopes of reaching a fourth final in the last five major tournaments, including European Championships and World Cups. However, reaching the semi-finals met the minimum target set for Deschamps in Germany. This achievement led French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo to confirm that Deschamps would fulfill his contract until 2026.

“I see no reason to question his contract,” Diallo told sports daily L’Equipe. “His past results speak for themselves, and he has met his objectives. Didier will stay on.”

The manner of France’s exit from the Euros was particularly underwhelming. They struggled to find their rhythm, with Randal Kolo Muani’s early goal against Spain being the only one scored in open play by any French player across six matches in Germany. L’Equipe described their campaign as leaving a “bitter taste,” noting that while France has grown accustomed to winning under Deschamps, the coach prioritizes results over style.

Deschamps, known for his pragmatic approach, responded to criticisms of his team’s style by saying, “If you are bored, you can watch something else. You are not obliged to watch us.”

These criticisms have followed Deschamps in the past but have often been unfair. Deschamps has led France to significant successes since taking over a struggling team in 2012. As the captain of the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning teams, he guided France to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup, the final of Euro 2016, and victory in the 2018 World Cup. They also reached the final of the 2022 World Cup, losing on penalties to Argentina, and won the UEFA Nations League in 2021. The only major disappointment was their early exit at Euro 2020.

Following the last World Cup, Deschamps extended his contract until 2026, with the next World Cup as France’s primary objective. Euro 2024 also marked the end of the road for veteran striker Olivier Giroud, France’s all-time top scorer.