Fourteen years at the helm, a rollercoaster of emotions, and a final match that, while vibrant, ended in disappointment. Didier Deschamps concluded his tenure as France’s national team coach yesterday with the small final of the 2026 World Cup, where the Bleus fell to England in a thrilling 4-6 defeat after leading 4-0 at halftime.

“Today has been an extraordinary day for me, given everything the French team has meant in my life—though all good things must come to an end,” Deschamps shared emotionally on live television. “I will miss the French team.” His legacy includes 120 wins, 35 draws, and 30 losses, along with a World Cup title and two heartbreaking final defeats—in Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.

“I thoroughly enjoyed this journey”

Even in his farewell, Deschamps maintained his high standards when assessing his team’s performance. “The first half was catastrophic,” he admitted. “But then pride kicked in—we almost turned a terrible situation around. These players are exceptional, young, and full of potential to stay at the top of world football.”

Despite the loss, the coach publicly praised his players, visibly moved: “I thanked them because there’s this disappointment from the semifinal defeat, but there was also a display of pride. They must keep that fire alive under the French jersey—nothing compares to it. I thanked them as people too, because I truly enjoyed these weeks, the interactions with both the young talents and the experienced players. The future looks bright for them.”

He departs from a still-youthful squad, with most leaders still in their prime for the next World Cup in four years. “The results of these years have created expectations, but it’s not pressure,” he noted about his successor. “The quality is there, but many other ingredients are needed. I’m incredibly proud of them, of everything they’ve achieved together—a united group. I’m proud of my staff, and a little of myself too. It’s over for me, at least with the French team. I’m still young, but first, I’m going to enjoy time with my family and rest. As I always say, the best is yet to come.”