Didier Deschamps, the manager of the French national team, has revealed that he will be leaving his position after the 2026 World Cup.
Deschamps, who has been in charge of the team since 2012, made the announcement in an interview with TF1 and LCI today.
The 56-year-old manager has had a highly successful tenure, leading France to victory in the 2018 World Cup and reaching the final in 2022.
He also guided the team to the final of the 2016 European Championship.
Deschamps stated that he had made up his mind to step down several months ago, with his contract set to expire in 2026.
He emphasized that it was time for him to move on, saying, “It will stop there because it has to stop there at some point. In my head, it’s very clear.”
The French Football Federation has not officially announced a successor, but Zinedine Zidane, a former teammate of Deschamps and a highly successful manager in his own right, is rumored to be the leading candidate to take over the position.
Deschamps’ departure will mark the end of an era for French football. During his tenure, he has established a reputation for being a calm and collected leader who inspires his players.
Hugo Lloris, the former captain of the French team, praised Deschamps, saying, “He has tremendous experience as a player and a coach at the international level. He is calm and collected and transmits that to the players. He is an inspiration to the players.”
Deschamps’ legacy will be remembered for years to come, and his decision to step down will undoubtedly be a significant moment in French football history.