2022 World Cup: Didier Deschamps ‘Der’?

Will Didier Deschamps play in extra time? After a double five-year term since taking charge of the Blues in 2012, his ‘re-election’ depends less on French votes and more on developments at the World Cup in Qatar. from November 20 to December 18). He looks set to extend his tenure – already the longest for a French coach ahead of Michel Hidalgo (eight years) – in Germany until Euro 2024. To give himself the best chance, he will have to avoid an early road exit and reach the semi-finals, which is officially set by the French Football Federation (FFF).

The 2024 deadline is timely as it coincides with the end of FFF President Noel Le Grae’s term. The fortunes of two men, among the most powerful in French football, are inextricably linked. in March at Western FranceThe Breton man gave more clues about Didier Deschamps’ future in October, suggesting the former Marseille man’s contract will not be extended until the World Cup, but discussions will take place in January 2023.

There is no question of repeating the mistake of his predecessor Jean-Pierre Escaletti in 2010, when Laurent Blanc was appointed as the successor to coach Raymond Domenech before the start of the World Cup. ” We both agree, we will see each other immediately after the World Cup. If we go to the semi-finals, he has a choice. He confirmed on November 10 team. If he feels motivated to continue, we don’t even argue. If we’re not in the last four, we’ll consider…”

But it is a little too quick to forget that this year the situation at the FFF headquarters has become significantly more tense. Undermined by accusations of sexist texting and sexist and inappropriate behavior following an initial investigation by the magazine SoFoot, Noel Le Grae saw the end of his reign. Sports Minister Amelie Odea-Castera launched an audit and control mission in September, the results of which are expected in January 2023.

Zidane is the big favorite to inherit

If Noel Le Grae’s mandate ends prematurely, what will happen to coach Didier Deschamps? The question remains unanswered, especially when the shadow of Zinedine Zidane looms, ever so shy and yet ubiquitous in tricolor football. After leaving Real Madrid in May 2021, with whom he won three Champions Leagues in a row (2016, 2017, 2018), Zizou was increasingly favored to replace Deschamps. At the beginning of November, the Spanish press announced that an agreement with the FFF was even tied.

Many within the federation are waiting for the president to fall in order to advance their pawns in the power struggle. The main thing is to ask the coach. According to the information the worldGeneral manager Florence Hardwin took the initiative this summer, reaching out to Zidane’s clan through an intermediary to pre-negotiate a coaching contract with the former number 10 at the end of the World Cup. . Zinedine Zidane refused and rejected the maneuver^I Hardwin.

However, there is no doubt that the former Blues leader will one day pull on the manager’s suit – as Le Gram himself has said. The only question is about the deadline. From next year or after Euro 2024? in August at ParisianFaced with rumours, Didier Deschamps insisted on returning the Basque pelota pediment to the heart of the village: Today this place is not free, because I work with my employees. »

In any case, the coach will certainly not match Germany’s Joachim Löw and Uruguay’s Oscar Tabarez, in charge for fifteen years between 2006 and 2021, and even less Argentina’s Guillermo Stabile, who holds the record for longest tenure with his twenty-one years at the helm. Albiceleste in 1939-1960.