The pressure is mounting on France manager Didier Deschamps following his team’s exit from Euro 2024 at the hands of Spain in the semifinals.
Deschamps, who previously led France to World Cup glory in 2018, is feeling the heat as questions about his future dominate headlines. Despite France's storied history and talented squad, the team managed just one goal from open play during the tournament. This lackluster performance has only added to the scrutiny surrounding the manager.
Deschamps' contract with the French football federation runs through the end of the 2026 World Cup. Reaching the semifinals in Germany was an objective outlined in his contract, and the team did accomplish this. However, the nature of their exit and the underwhelming performance have left fans and pundits questioning whether Deschamps is the right man to lead France forward.
During a press conference, Deschamps responded to questions about his future with visible frustration. He said, "You are terrible. Ask that question to the president [of the FFF], I have just come from losing a semifinal and you think that I have already [thought about that]? Me, I respect you, you should try to respect the people who have responsibility a little more as well. I say that in total calmness. What has happened happened -- I am here to respond to your questions but I am not going to respond to that today. You know very well the situation and you know what the president thinks -- so maybe you didn't have to ask me that question."
The pressure for Deschamps is compounded by the bright performances of individual players, particularly Antoine Griezmann. Griezmann set a new national record for the most appearances at World Cups and European Championships with his 36th tournament appearance when he came off the bench in the 62nd minute against Spain. Despite the team's overall struggles, Griezmann's commitment to the national team remains unwavering.
Reflecting on his experience in the tournament, Griezmann remarked, "I started badly. After that, I started to feel better and better, and I ended up on the bench. We'll come back. I tried to give my all with a lot of tactical and positional changes. You had to adapt all the time. Understanding [Deschamps' decision]? No, that's personal. But that's how it is, that's the life of a footballer. Others in the squad haven't played a minute so I'm not going to be the one to complain."
Griezmann's dedication to the team and his desire to play in the 2026 World Cup were unmistakable as he candidly stated, "Oh guys, I still want to play [in 2026]."
While Deschamps' current position appears secure for now due to the terms laid out in his contract, the support of the French football federation will be crucial to his future with the team. As the dust settles from their semifinal exit, all eyes will be on the federation's next move.
The relationship between Deschamps and the federation, combined with the talent present in the French squad, will be essential in determining whether the 2018 World Cup-winning manager will lead them into their next chapter. The coming weeks and months will likely be pivotal for both Deschamps and the French national football team as they reflect on their Euro 2024 campaign and plan for the future.