The greatest chapter of my career: Deschamps reflects before France farewell
Didier Deschamps admitted that leaving the French national team will be emotional, describing his 25-year association with Les Bleus as the greatest chapter of his professional career ahead of his final match in charge.
Deschamps will take charge of France for the last time when Les Bleus face England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place play-off in Miami on Saturday, bringing an end to his 15-year spell as head coach. The 57-year-old had already confirmed that he would step down after the tournament, with Zinedine Zidane widely expected to succeed him.
Speaking ahead of his farewell, Deschamps reflected on the journey that saw him serve France as both captain and coach, insisting the memories he had created with the national team would stay with him forever.
“I know I’ll miss the French national team, but I’ve had the privilege of spending 15 years at the highest level wearing this jersey, experiencing unforgettable highs as well as more difficult moments. Now the curtain is coming down. Life goes on,” Deschamps said.
“I don’t know exactly what the future holds, but I’m an optimistic person by nature. I know good things lie ahead.”
‘GREATEST THING’
Deschamps, who captained France to the 1998 FIFA World Cup title before returning as coach in 2012, said nothing in his career could compare to what he had experienced with the national team.
“The French national team, with everything it represents, is the greatest thing that has happened to me in my professional career. It has taken 25 years of my life. Twenty-five years is a significant part of anyone’s life, and it leaves a lasting mark,” he said.
“It leaves an even deeper mark because of the unforgettable memories. But I’ve always believed that what’s most important is what lies ahead.”
During his time in charge, Deschamps transformed France into one of international football’s most consistent forces. He guided Les Bleus to the 2018 FIFA World Cup title in Russia, reached another World Cup final in Qatar four years later and lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy in 2021.
His reign also produced the 2016 European Championship final on home soil, with France regularly challenging for major honours throughout his tenure.
ONE LAST MATCH
The England clash may not have been the finale Deschamps envisioned, with France falling to Spain in the semi-finals, but he has insisted the third-place play-off still carries significance.
Earlier this week, the France coach said finishing third was preferable to ending the tournament in fourth place and stressed that his players owed one final performance to the supporters who had backed them throughout the World Cup.
Victory against England would provide a fitting end to one of the most decorated managerial spells in international football, closing the book on a 25-year journey that saw Deschamps lift the World Cup as both player and coach before walking away as one of France’s greatest football figures.
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