Fourteen years of dedicated service ended with a rollercoaster final match for Didier Deschamps. The French national team manager led his squad to a fourth-place finish at the 2026 World Cup after a thrilling small final against England. The match ended 6-4 for the Three Lions, though France showed remarkable resilience after trailing 4-0 at halftime.

“It’s been an incredibly special day for me, given everything the French team has meant in my life. Every great journey must eventually come to an end,” Deschamps shared emotionally with reporters. “The French team will be sorely missed.” His departure follows an impressive tenure that included 120 victories, 35 draws, and 30 defeats, crowned by a World Cup triumph in 2018, along with two heartbreaking final defeats at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.

“I’ve had a blast”

Even in his farewell address, Deschamps maintained his trademark standards when assessing his players’ performance. “The first half was catastrophic,” he admitted candidly. “But afterward, there was pride. We nearly pulled off an impossible comeback. These are world-class players, young and hungry to improve. They have everything needed to stay at the top of global football.”

Despite the disappointment, the outgoing manager spoke with genuine warmth about his players. “I thanked them sincerely because the semi-final defeat was painful, but they showed immense pride in response. The spirit under the French jersey is unmatched. I thanked them as people too, because I’ve genuinely enjoyed every moment of this journey – especially the interactions with both experienced and emerging talents. Their future looks incredibly bright.”

Deschamps leaves behind a youthful squad, with most of his key players still in their prime. “The results we’ve achieved over the years have raised expectations, but this isn’t pressure,” he reflected on the road ahead. “The talent is there, though many other factors come into play. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together. There’s a strong team spirit here. I’m proud of my staff, and a little proud of myself too. This chapter is now closed for me, at least where the French team is concerned. I’m still young at heart, but first I need to recharge, spend time with my family, and rest. As I always say, the best is yet to come.”