World Cup: Deschamps set for bittersweet end to France job as Zidane waits

Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure as France national team coach reaches its conclusion this Saturday with a third-place playoff match against England. The 57-year-old manager had aimed to cap his distinguished career by securing a third World Cup title for Les Bleus, but that ambition ended when France suffered a 2-0 semifinal defeat to Spain in Arlington, Texas.

Deschamps' legacy includes transforming French football after the team's group-stage exit in 2010. He guided France to the 2018 World Cup victory in Russia, a triumph that elevated Kylian Mbappe to international prominence. However, his tenure also encompassed significant setbacks, including the Euro 2016 final loss to Portugal on home soil and the 2022 World Cup final penalty defeat to Argentina.

Throughout his seven major tournaments as coach, Deschamps consistently reached at least the semifinals in five competitions, demonstrating sustained competitive excellence. During the current tournament, he shifted France's tactical approach, granting attacking players including Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise greater creative freedom compared to his earlier, more conservative strategies.

Zinedine Zidane, Deschamps' former teammate and one of France's greatest players, awaits the coaching position. The England match will represent Deschamps' 27th World Cup game as coach, setting a record for the position. His tenure was also marked by personal tragedy when his mother passed away during the tournament, requiring him to miss one match for her funeral.