Deschamps bows out with dignity: “I will become a silent supporter’ as Zidane era looms

Didier Deschamps has officially ended his legendary 14-year reign as France manager following a dramatic 4-6 defeat to England in Saturday’s third-place playoff in Miami. In his emotional farewell, the 57-year-old offered a gracious message to his yet-to-be-named successor—widely expected to be Zinedine Zidane—while revealing his own plans for the immediate future.

“The legacy I leave to my successor? The potential is there,” Deschamps told reporters after the match. “There are some incredible players who will grow from this experience. Everything is in place for this France team to remain at the highest level. I wish the very best for France and for my successor.”

When asked whether he would offer guidance to the new man in charge, Deschamps was characteristically measured. “After this, I will become a silent supporter. Will I speak with him? Nobody has asked me anything yet,” he said. As for his own future, he added: “For now, I’m planning to go on holiday and spend time with my family, but we’ll see.”

The French Football Federation (FFF) is expected to confirm Zidane’s appointment imminently, with his tenure set to officially begin on September 1. The 54-year-old former Real Madrid manager, who won three consecutive Champions League titles across two spells at the Bernabéu, has long been considered the natural heir. Reports indicate he has already finalised his coaching staff and is expected to sign a four-year deal running through the 2030 World Cup.

Deschamps leaves behind a monumental legacy. One of only three men to win the World Cup as both player and manager—alongside Brazil’s Mário Zagallo and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer—he guided France to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2021 UEFA Nations League, and finals at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup. He also holds the record for most World Cup matches managed (26) and most World Cup victories by any head coach in tournament history (20).

Kylian Mbappé paid an emotional tribute to his departing manager on social media: “You who have given us so much, we should have offered you a better ending, but we failed. To put into words all that you have brought us for the past 14 years is very difficult. You have been such a major part of the rebuilding of this team.”

As Deschamps heads off for a well-earned rest, all eyes now turn to Zidane. The former World Cup-winning captain has not managed since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 but has never hidden his ambition to lead Les Bleus. He inherits a squad packed with talent—including Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga and Michael Olise—with expectations already building for Euro 2028 and beyond.

For now, however, the spotlight belongs to Deschamps—a manager who, even in defeat, ensured his final words were about the future, not the past.