Didier Deschamps Departs as France National Team Coach

Didier Deschamps concluded his 14-year tenure as coach of the French national football team on Saturday, July 18. His final press conference in Miami, Florida, ended with applause. The 57-year-old coach, who won the World Cup with France as both a player (1998) and a coach (2018), departed with a mix of emotions.

Deschamps's final match was the 23rd World Cup third-place game against England, which France lost 6-4 in what was described as the tournament's most spectacular game. This followed a 2-0 loss to Spain in the semifinals. Despite leaving on a two-game losing streak, this did not reflect his remarkable record.

His 185th and final match as France's national team coach proved to be one of the most thrilling and unpredictable of his tenure, keeping him under pressure until the very last minute. Deschamps admitted receiving several messages, including “two or three that made me cry.” Didier Deschamps bids farewell to French team after spectacular World Cup defeat