Didier Deschamps extends contract as France coach to 2026
Didier Deschamps has signed a new deal that will keep him as France head coach until June 2026, the French Football Federation announced.
The 54-year-old’s future with the national team was under scrutiny following the conclusion of the World Cup in Qatar, where his side finished runners-up to Argentina. There has been strong rumours in France for some time that Zinedine Zidane was waiting in the wings to take over from Deschamps after Qatar however his former teammate will instead now stay on.
Deschamps has been incredibly successful while in charge of France, guiding them to World Cup success in 2018 and the final in Qatar last month, as well as winning the 2018 Nations League and reaching the Euro 2016 final.
France are paired with Stephen Kenny’s Ireland in Group B for qualification for next summer’s European Championships and Deschamps’ next away game at the helm will be at Lansdowne Road in March.
The FFF said in a statement: “The French Football Federation and Noel Le Graet, its president, are pleased to announce the extension of Didier Deschamps at the head of the French team until June 2026.
“Appointed on July 9, 2012 by Noel Le Graet, Didier Deschamps has an exceptional record at the head of the national team with 89 wins, 28 draws and 22 losses in 139 matches, 279 goals scored and 119 conceded.
“Guy Stephan, assistant to Didier Deschamps, Franck Raviot, goalkeeping coach, and Cyril Moine, physical trainer, will also continue their mission in the French team.”
