Didier Deschamps is tied to a contract with the France national side until 2026 (Picture: Getty)
Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation, says Didier Deschamps will stay on as manager to ‘continue his mission’, despite the national team’s disappointing Euro 2024 semi-final exit.
France entered this summer’s tournament as one of the hot favourites but badly struggled to replicate the form that took them to the World Cup final two years ago, failing to score a single goal from open play until their semi-final defeat at the hands of Spain.
Randal Kolo Muani headed home to end France’s barren run just eight minutes into Tuesday’s heavyweight clash in Munich. However, Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo struck in quick succession to turn the tide and Spain held firm to seal a spot in the final versus England or the Netherlands.
Despite steering France to World Cup glory in Russia and a runners-up finish in Qatar, Deschamps has come in for heavy criticism across the Channel and there have been calls for the 55-year-old to step down in some quarters.
But the former Juventus and Chelsea midfielder still has two years remaining on his contract with the national team and it appears the FFF have no plans to bring his tenure to a premature end.
‘He does indeed have a contract and has fulfilled the sporting objective that was given to him,’ Diallo told French publication L’Equipe in the wake of Spain’s semi-final victory.
‘When we look at his career at the manager of the French team, it is exceptional.
‘Didier led this team in the best possible way during the Euros.’
Deschamps cut a frustrated figure in the dugout for much of Tuesday’s semi-final (Picture: Getty)
Asked whether Deschamps will see out his deal with the national side, Diallo replied: ‘I do not see any reason to question his contract.
‘Past results speak in his favour and the objectives have been achieved.
‘Didier will continue his mission.
Deschamps will ‘continue his mission’ with France, according to FFF president Diallo
‘We will discuss together in the coming days to analyse in more depth what we lacked during this semi-final and what would have allowed us to go further.
‘This month, I have seen a lot of professionalism, a search for excellence. We must keep the French team heading in this direction.’
Pressed on whether Deschamps had given any indication that he may not continue until 2026, Diallo responded: ‘No. Not at all.’
Deschamps was defiantin the immediate aftermath of France’s 2-1 loss to Spain and called for ‘respect’ when his future was called into question.
‘What happened, happened. I am here to respond to your questions but I won’t respond to that one today,’ he told reporters at his post-match press conference.
‘Even if you know my situation very well, you know full well what my president [Philippe Diallo] thinks so you maybe didn’t even have to ask the question.’
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