‘Even if we had WON, I wouldn’t have been able to answer that’: Didier Deschamps refuses to confirm if he will stay on as France manager after defeat by Argentina… as he plots talks with his bosses in the new year before deciding his future
Didier Deschamps has refused to confirm whether he will stay on as France manager following his side’s heartbreaking defeat on penalties to Argentina in the final of the 2022 World Cup.
France had hoped to retain their World Cup crown but were beaten by Argentina in a thrilling World Cup final.
Deschamps, 54, has said he needs to speak to the bosses at the French Federation before deciding his next move.
Didier Deschamps has refused to confirm whether he will be the France manager in 2023
Deschamps said: ‘Even if we had won, I wouldn’t have been able to answer that question tonight.’
The France boss continued: ‘Of course, I am very sad for all my players and staff but I will have a meeting with the president at the beginning of next year and then you will find out.’
Deschamps has been in charge of the French team since 2012 and has had great success in the role.
Under Deschamps, France won the 2018 World Cup in Russia as the France boss became one of a few players to win football’s ultimate prize as a player and a manager.
France lost to Argentina in a thrilling World Cup final that could only be decided on penalties
In the final in Qatar, France found themselves 2-0 down against Argentina when Deschamps made two first-half substitutions.
Speaking on his decision to make the changes, Deschamps said: ‘They were tactical choices. I wanted to make a change because I saw we lacked freshness and energy.
‘I just saw they were not 100 per cent and there was a change in positions slightly as well, bringing Kylian [Mbappe] out from the wing, because I saw that we were in deep trouble.’
The changes almost worked wonders as France came back late on and could have won the game in the last minute of extra-time if it wasn’t for an Emiliano Martinez wonder save.
Olivier Giroud and Ousmane Dembele could only look on after their first-half substitutions
Advertisement