Coach Didier Deschamps will helm France by the 2026 World Cup after saying on Saturday that he was given a four-year contract extension simply weeks after shedding to Argentina within the 2022 ultimate.
Deschamps’ earlier contract expired after the World Cup in Qatar, the place defending champions France misplaced on penalties to Lionel Messi’s Argentina after an exciting ultimate on 18 December.
French Soccer Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Grae reportedly solely needed to present Deschamps a two-year extension till the European Championships in Germany in 2024, however the 54-year-old coach , had insisted on staying in cost till the following World Cup with United.USA, Canada and Mexico.
The announcement places an finish to that controversy and likewise clears hypothesis that Zinedine Zidane, Deschamps’ teammate on the 1998 World Cup successful facet, might take over.
“I’m very happy to announce that the President has determined to increase (my contract) till 2026,” Deschamps stated on the FFF Basic Meeting.
“I want to thank the President for his fixed assist and continued belief in me,” he added. “It’s important that the French staff carry out effectively.”
Man Stephan, Deschamps’ influential assistant coach, has additionally retained his place.
– Concentrating on Euro 2024 –
Having performed for Marseille, Juventus and Chelsea, Deschamps captained them to their first World Cup win in 1998 and took over as supervisor of the nationwide staff in 2012.
He led France to the Euro 2016 ultimate at house, the place they misplaced to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Two years later, he led the Blues to World Cup glory in Russia, the place he beat Croatia 4–2 within the ultimate.
In Qatar, France superior to the ultimate after overcoming an harm loss to World Participant of the Yr Karim Benzema simply earlier than the match.
Within the climax, because of Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick, they fought again from 2-0 to Argentina to take the rating to 3-3 after additional time. They misplaced 4-2 on penalties.
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Deschamps’ solely worst got here when France misplaced to Switzerland within the spherical of 16 stage of Euro 2020.
He’s the longest-serving French coach in historical past, surpassing Michel Hidalgo, who held the place from March 1976 to June 1984.
France will face the Netherlands on the Stade de France at the beginning of qualifying for Euro 2024 on 24 March. After a disappointment at house in 2016, successful that competitors is his subsequent purpose.
“All the things will likely be accomplished in levels,” Deschamps stated at a post-meeting press convention. “Outcomes are in demand and expectations are excessive for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying.”
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