The French public is holding its breath after Didier Deschamps contract as France national team coach expired on January 1.
Deschamps has spent a decade on the job as coach of the two-time FIFA World Cup champions following his appointment in July 2012.
The climax of Deschamps reign came with France’s triumph as 2018 FIFA World Cup champions in Russia before they relinquished their crown last December in Qatar to Argentina.
Deschamps also won the 2021 UEFA Nations League.
French sports daily L’equipe reported in Wednesday’s edition that there is dead silence over Deschamps future after the contract renewal was expected to be a hands-down decision.
Deschamps is reported to have met with French Football Federation boss Noël Le Graët over lunch on December 29 in the latter’s base in Guingamp, but details of what was discussed are sketchy.
DESCHAMPS TO PEN A NEW DEAL?
“Since January 1, the France team has officially no longer got a coach and will have to wait a few more days before knowing whether Didier Deschamps, at the end of his contract, will succeed Didier Deschamps,” L’equipe stated.
The matter also attracted interest from higher office after French President Emmanuel Macron said on December 14 that he hoped the FFF would extend Deschamps’s reign.
France has two major assignments awaiting them over the next three years that need a trusted hand.
The first objective is to qualify for the Euro 2024 in Germany, a competition Deschamps won as a player in 2000 but finished as runners-up in 2016 as a coach.
Thereafter, France embarks on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA.
It is critical that France make what is expected to be an emotional journey across the Atlantic in three years’ time.
In 1994, France failed to qualify for that tournament; again, on that occasion, it was hosted by the USA.
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