Deschamps to end France tenure with World Cup third-place play-off
8 reported
Didier Deschamps will conclude his 14-year tenure as France manager in Saturday’s World Cup third-place play-off after his team lost 2-0 to Spain in the semi-final. The 57-year-old, who won the World Cup as a player in 1998 and as manager in 2018, confirmed in January 2025 that he would step down after this summer’s tournament. France managed only 10 shots in the match, their lowest total in a World Cup, with an expected goals of 0.3. Former France midfielder Patrick Viera told ITV the team “haven’t shown up” and that “all our top players went missing.” Kylian Mbappe criticized France’s tactics, saying the team was “three against two in midfield” and lacked communication on the press. Deschamps set a record for most World Cup games managed (26), surpassing the previous mark of 25 shared with Helmut Schon. The third-place match will be played in Miami on Saturday at 22:00 BST against the loser of England versus Argentina.
What’s reported
Deschamps, 57, won the World Cup as a player (1998) and manager (2018).
France lost 2-0 to Spain in the semi-final, managing only 10 shots and 0.3 expected goals.
Deschamps confirmed in January 2025 he would step down after this summer’s tournament.
He set a record for most World Cup games managed (26), previously shared with Helmut Schon (25).
The third-place play-off is Saturday in Miami at 22:00 BST against the loser of England v Argentina.
Former France striker Olivier Giroud said Deschamps “deserved to exit by the big door.”
Former France defender Gael Clichy said Deschamps “took a team that was below par and brought it back up to the top.”
The favorite to replace Deschamps is former teammate Zinedine Zidane, with ESPN reporting a verbal agreement in March.
Key figures
Didier Deschamps, France manager
Patrick Viera, former France midfielder (commentator)
Kylian Mbappe, France forward
Olivier Giroud, former France striker (BBC pundit)
Gael Clichy, former France defender (manager of Caen)
Zinedine Zidane, former France teammate and favorite to replace Deschamps
Sources: BBC News
