March 20 – World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps is keen on leading France until the 2022 finals in Qatar. He guided Les Bleus to a second world title at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. On Friday, France open their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against Moldova.
In an interview with AFP, Deschamps revealed that he wants to stay on as the head coach of the world champions until the next finals in Qatar in 2022. As a player, the former midfielder won the World Cup on home soil in 1998 after a Zinedine Zidane inspired France defeated Brazil 3-0 in the final in Paris.
“For me to be able to carry on until the next World Cup is obviously something I would not be unhappy about, but we’ll see,” said Deschamps.
Last summer Deschamps’ Les Bleus outplayed Croatia in Moscow 4-2 to win the World Cup for a second time. The French had not been among the outright favourites heading into the tournament, but a solid team led by teenage star Kylian Mbappe proved to be invincible as they dumped Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium out of the tournament on their way to the final.
“I have a very good relationship with (FFF) president (Noel Le Graet). I’m under contract until the European Championships, which is the only certainty right now.”
The contract of the France coach runs out in June 2020, but Deschamps insists that his future or any extension depends on the results of his team. “It’s linked to results,” said Deschamps. “But before thinking about 2022, first come the qualifiers (for Euro 2020).”
The reigning world champions have been drawn in Group H alongside Iceland, Turkey, Moldova, Albania and Andorra in the Euro qualifiers. They won the European Championships in 1984 on home soil and repeated the feat in 2000, beating Italy in the final in Rotterdam with a dramatic David Trezeguet golden goal.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1713572481labto1713572481ofdlr1713572481owedi1713572481sni@o1713572481fni1713572481