France manager Didier Deschamps has confirmed he will stand down following the 2026 World Cup in 18 months’ time.
Deschamps, who holds the distinction of winning the World Cup as both player and manager, has spent 13 years in the job but says he will walk away when his current contract expires after next summer’s event in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
His former team-mate Zinedine Zidane is favourite to replace him.
The 56-year-old Deschamps told TF1: “I’ve been here since 2012 and will remain until 2026 and the next World Cup. But it will end there because it has to. In my mind, it’s clear. 2026, it’s fine.
“You never want something good to end, but you have to know when to stop. There is a life after this, I don’t know which one, but it will be very good still. Fourteen years is a lot. The most important thing is for France to remain on top like it has for several years.”
Successful switch to coaching
After a wonderful playing career that saw him win the Champions League with Marseille and three Serie A titles with Juventus, as well as the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, Deschamps started his managerial career at Monaco, leading them to the Champions League final in 2004.
Having guided Juve to promotion back to Serie A and Marseille to the Ligue 1 title, he took over as France boss in July 2012.
After reaching the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Les Bleus were favourites to win Euro 2016 on home soil but came unstuck against Portugal in the final.
Success in Russia
Redemption was had at the 2018 World Cup in Russia with France sweeping to the title after beating Croatia 4-2 in the final.
A round of 16 exit at Euro 2020 was a disappointment but France performed well at the 2022 World Cup, beating England en route to the final where they lost on penalties to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina following a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Deschamps was widely criticised for his tactics after France were eliminated by Spain in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 with his team managing just four goals across six games in Germany.