As you stroll along the lush pathway leading to the Château de Clairefontaine, you will encounter a three-meter tall replica of the World Cup trophy, adorned with two stars symbolizing France’s victories in the tournament. Didier Deschamps played a pivotal role in both triumphs, first as a captain in 1998 and later as the manager in 2018.
The 1998 World Cup final marked France’s inaugural appearance at this prestigious event, and since then, the team has reached four finals in the last seven tournaments, with Deschamps participating in three of them. As he prepares for the upcoming World Cup in North America, he faces the pressure of high expectations that stem from previous successes. Deschamps has led France to three significant finals during his 14 years as head coach. “We’re among the favorites,” he states confidently during our conversation. “This label is not a sensitive topic for me. If we hold this status today, it is a direct result of our past achievements and the results we’ve delivered.”
During the interview, Deschamps’ assistant, Guy Stéphane, humorously pops his head in, declaring, “You’ve got the best.” Deschamps responds with a grin, acknowledging the accuracy of Stéphane’s remark given his impressive record as both a player and a coach.
However, Deschamps recognizes that there is a level of subjectivity involved in perceptions of his success. “There may be more acknowledgment internationally,” he notes. “I’ve traveled extensively and can attest that the sentiment abroad differs from that in France.” Concerns regarding the team’s playing style persist domestically. Before addressing this, he chuckles lightly, saying, “It depends on what you define as ‘playing style.’ There is one perspective internationally, but within France, we are often seen as a team that plays defensively. Nevertheless, that approach hasn’t hindered our results.”
Deschamps is not preoccupied with his legacy, asserting that it “doesn’t matter” to him. He emphasizes that the focus should remain on the present and future, stating, “What is most important is today and tomorrow, with tomorrow being the World Cup. After that, everyone will have their own interpretation and feelings.”
While public opinion may vary, the respect he commands among his peers is evident. Gareth Southgate once looked up to him, and Deschamps mentions that he has communicated with notable managers such as Thomas Tuchel—whom he admires—Brazil’s Carlo Ancelotti, and former Germany coach Hansi Flick. His impressive record of three major finals and a Nations League title has positioned Deschamps as a leading figure in international football.
Despite this, he insists that there is no secret to his success. “I have one magic word: adaptation. I assess the individual I’m working with and adjust accordingly. This leads to modifications. Just because something worked in the past doesn’t mean we shouldn’t adapt; however, it’s not about changing for the sake of change,” he explains.
Beyond tactical strategy, managing players also requires flexibility. “The generation I began with in 2012 is different from today’s players. The new generation needs more dialogue,” Deschamps points out, noting the changes he has witnessed in the France squad.
Following the defeat to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final, several prominent players, including Hugo Lloris, Olivier Giroud, Raphaël Varane, and Antoine Griezmann, have retired from international play. “The baton has been passed,” Deschamps remarks, naming Kylian Mbappé as the successor to Lloris, who holds the record for the most caps for France.
“Kylian, our current captain, has always been observant and receptive before taking on this leadership role. He doesn’t emulate Hugo; they have distinct personalities. He assumes his leadership both on and off the pitch, understanding that when he speaks, he represents the entire squad,” Deschamps elaborates. He also defends his decision to utilize the Real Madrid striker in a central role, highlighting that many coaches have successfully employed him in this position during his time at PSG and Real Madrid.
Mbappé’s performance at Euro 2024 fell short of expectations, particularly after suffering a broken nose in the opening match against Austria. Deschamps acknowledges that his preparation for the tournament was “suboptimal,” noting that he entered the event after a challenging final six months at PSG with limited playing time. As he approaches this World Cup, Mbappé is just one goal away from surpassing Giroud’s all-time scoring record for France (57 goals), which serves as a validation of Deschamps’ choices, often scrutinized yet frequently proven to be correct.
For Mbappé to eclipse Giroud’s record, Deschamps must strike the right “balance,” a term he emphasizes repeatedly during our rainy afternoon discussion. “At the 2022 World Cup, we already fielded four attackers. A change from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 could potentially expose our traditionally strong defense,” he counters.
He references Griezmann’s role in the midfield at the 2022 World Cup, where he functioned as the fourth attacker in that setup. His replacement will be Michael Olise, who Deschamps describes as “a quieter individual, a bit shy, but when he’s on the field, he’s remarkable. He’s currently one of the standout players in the World Cup.”
Deschamps faces tough choices, particularly regarding his forward lineup. With players like Mbappé, Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Rayan Cherki, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, Marcus Thuram, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Maghnes Akliouche all vying for positions, he will need to navigate these decisions carefully.
“It’s about managing the dynamics…”
