The president of the French Football Federation has confirmed whether France manager Didier Deschamps will continue in his role in the wake of their Euro 2024 semi-final exit.
Having already won the World Cup as a player and manager - being just one of three men to do so - Deschamps sought to repeat the feat in the European Championships, 24 years on from being part of the Bleus squad who won the 2000 edition.
France had plenty of wrongs to right in Germany, having suffered last-16 heartache at the hands of Switzerland at Euro 2020, before finishing as runners-up to Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Les Bleus made it through their group as runners-up and bested Portugal on penalties to reach the semi-finals, but they flattered to deceive on the attacking front and ultimately came unstuck against Spain.
Randal Kolo Muani became the first France player to score from open play at the Euros with an eighth-minute header, but a Lamine Yamal wonder goal and deflected Dani Olmo strike sent Spain through to the final.
Deschamps to stay on as France boss
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As La Roja wait to learn whether they will take on England or the Netherlands on Sunday, France head back home with their tails tucked between their legs, as there is no third-placed playoff at the Euros.
Immediately after the game, Deschamps issued a frosty response to a journalist who asked him about his future with the national team, and he still has two years left on his contract, meaning that he is set to lead Les Bleus into the 2026 World Cup.
Now, Deschamps's future has been clarified by Philippe Diallo, the president of the FFF, who has confirmed that the 55-year-old will continue as Bleus boss for at least the next two years.
"He has a contract and has achieved the sporting objective that was set for him. I see no need to call his contract into question. His past results speak for themselves and the objectives have been reached. Didier will continue his mission," Diallo told L'Equipe.
Deschamps is already the longest-serving France manager in history, having taken charge of Les Bleus in the summer of 2012, and he could have spent 14 years at the helm should he indeed remain in the job until the 2026 World Cup.
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The former Chelsea midfielder boasts a record of 102 wins, 30 draws and 28 defeats since succeeding Laurent Blanc, prior to which he also took charge of Marseille, Juventus and Monaco.
Zinedine Zidane kept waiting as Deschamps stays
For the past couple of years, former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has been considered the leading contender to succeed Deschamps as France boss, and the former has now been without a managerial gig since 2021.
Zidane is thought to have rejected the opportunity to return to club management due to his desire to take charge of his country, despite reported interest from the United States, Manchester United, Juventus, Marseille and Saudi Arabia.
The 52-year-old's hopes of becoming Bleus head coach suffered a setback when Deschamps signed his new deal until after the 2026 World Cup, and he will seemingly have to wait even longer if he still decides to hold out for the France post.
Ben Knapton
