Didier Deschamps’ France are the current World Cup holders and are looking to retain their title in Qatar.
Much of their international success is due to one man – manager and former player Deschamps.
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Deschamps lifted the World Cup four years ago
France have won the World Cup twice and Deschamps was heavily involved in both triumphs 20 years apart.
He joined a rare group after winning the trophy in 2018 when he became only the third person to win the tournament as a player and manager, joining Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer.
Didier Deschamps’ record in the World Cup
As a player, Deschamps surprisingly only appeared in one World Cup during his 11-year international career.
That World Cup came in 1998 in France’s home tournament when he captained Les Bleus to their iconic first world title.
The ex-midfielder has played every minute of every game but one after being rested with group qualification already decided.
He didn’t score a goal but as a midfielder with a defensive mindset clean sheets were more important and in all the games he played France only conceded once aim.
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Deschamps led his country to its first-ever World Cup victory
Les Bleus beat Paraguay, Italy and Croatia to reach the final in Paris where they face Brazil.
Deschamps led his team to a 3-0 victory and the 54-year-old lifted the trophy for the first time in the country’s history.
After retiring from football in 2001, he put his leadership skills into the world of management.
He will finally be appointed boss of France in 2012.
His first World Cup as a manager was in 2014 and he led the Blues to the quarter-finals where they were beaten 1-0 by eventual winners Germany.
Four years later, Deschamps’ men dominated the competition and France won their second world title by beating Croatia 4-2 in the final.
Deschamps won the World Cup as a player and as a coach
With this feat, Deschamps became the third person to win the competition as a manager and player.
He was also only the second captain to do so, with Beckenbauer being the only other person to achieve the feat.
In Qatar, France are one of the favorites to win the tournament again, with Deschamps aiming to achieve what no other manager has done before and lift the trophy twice in a row.
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