Until their fourth World Cup final in seven editions, France had become accustomed to success on the international stage and at the center of it all is Didier Deschamps, a winner born as a player and now an inspiring leader in as a coach.
As Les Bleus approach Sunday’s showdown with Argentina in Doha, it seems remarkable now that there are serious doubts about this French side’s entry into the World Cup.
They had disappointed at Euro 2020 and Deschamps was already dealing with an injury crisis before Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema pulled out of the squad on the eve of the tournament.
Still, circumstances got the best of the French coach, who tore up his tactical plans and pulled off a masterstroke by turning striker Antoine Griezmann into midfield.
Griezmann’s own comments during the competition told a story.
“I owe him everything in my international career. I give everything for the shirt, for France, but also for him,” said the Atletico Madrid star who was undoubtedly the player of the tournament.
“Every game, every action, it’s like saying thank you to him. I want to do everything to make him proud of his number seven.”
Deschamps may be ridiculed by some fans who think his team should play more attractive football.
But Griezmann’s comments revealed something else about Deschamps – that his man-management skills are even more important than tactical savvy.
“He likes talking with his players and knowing how you feel. Every time he gives an order or advice, you follow it,” Griezmann said.
That Deschamps is so respected and admired by his players is undoubtedly in part due to what he has achieved in his own career.
A midfielder once described as a “water carrier” by Eric Cantona, he was 24 when he led Marseille to victory in the Champions League final in 1993.
Later a Champions League winner with Juventus, he captained France to victory at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 before retiring at 32.
New contract?
The Blues haven’t really looked back since those formative triumphs. Within a generation, they have become the preeminent power in international football.
Deschamps was the driving force behind this, although after the end of his playing career there was a successful period in running the club.
He took Monaco to the 2004 Champions League final aged 35 and led Marseille to a Ligue 1 title before replacing Laurent Blanc as France coach in 2012.
Then France struggled to rebuild after the disaster of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
A decade later, they are in their third final in the last four major tournaments and also won the UEFA Nations League last year.
So how does he keep doing it?
“It’s very difficult to win, especially a World Cup, and it’s even more difficult to win it again,” he told AFP shortly before the tournament.
“It takes quality and talent, but those things alone are not enough. Without the mentality, the right state of mind and the determination, it is impossible to win at this level.
Driven by Deschamps, France are the first World Cup holders to return to the final since Brazil in 1998, as they seek to become the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy.
It has certainly been different to 2018, with half of the French roster having changed, in part due to injuries to key players such as Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Lucas Hernandez.
In 2018, Deschamps became only the third man to win the trophy as a manager, having also done so as a player, after Brazilian Mario Zagallo and West German Franz Beckenbauer.
He is now one game away from becoming the first manager to win the World Cup twice in the post-war period.
Whatever happens on Sunday, France’s run to this point means out-of-contract Deschamps is free to decide whether he wants to stay and lead Les Bleus to Euro 2024.
He is expected to do so, despite the figure of Zinedine Zidane lurking in the shadows.
“I’m not the most important thing here,” he said after beating Morocco.
“We are lucky to keep our title and it is already a great achievement. Hopefully we can be even happier on Sunday.
Until their fourth World Cup final in seven editions, France had become accustomed to success on the international stage and at the center of it all is Didier Deschamps, a winner born as a player and now an inspiring leader in as a coach.
As Les Bleus approach Sunday’s showdown with Argentina in Doha, it seems remarkable now that there are serious doubts about this French side’s entry into the World Cup.
They had disappointed at Euro 2020 and Deschamps was already dealing with an injury crisis before Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema pulled out of the squad on the eve of the tournament.
Still, circumstances got the best of the French coach, who tore up his tactical plans and pulled off a masterstroke by turning striker Antoine Griezmann into midfield.
Griezmann’s own comments during the competition told a story.
“I owe him everything in my international career. I give everything for the shirt, for France, but also for him,” said the Atletico Madrid star who was undoubtedly the player of the tournament.
“Every game, every action, it’s like saying thank you to him. I want to do everything to make him proud of his number seven.”
Deschamps may be ridiculed by some fans who think his team should play more attractive football.
But Griezmann’s comments revealed something else about Deschamps – that his man-management skills are even more important than tactical savvy.
“He likes talking with his players and knowing how you feel. Every time he gives an order or advice, you follow it,” Griezmann said.
That Deschamps is so respected and admired by his players is undoubtedly in part due to what he has achieved in his own career.
A midfielder once described as a “water carrier” by Eric Cantona, he was 24 when he led Marseille to victory in the Champions League final in 1993.
Later a Champions League winner with Juventus, he captained France to victory at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 before retiring at 32.
New contract?
The Blues haven’t really looked back since those formative triumphs. Within a generation, they have become the preeminent power in international football.
Deschamps was the driving force behind this, although after the end of his playing career there was a successful period in running the club.
He took Monaco to the 2004 Champions League final aged 35 and led Marseille to a Ligue 1 title before replacing Laurent Blanc as France coach in 2012.
Then France struggled to rebuild after the disaster of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
A decade later, they are in their third final in the last four major tournaments and also won the UEFA Nations League last year.
So how does he keep doing it?
“It’s very difficult to win, especially a World Cup, and it’s even more difficult to win it again,” he told AFP shortly before the tournament.
“It takes quality and talent, but those things alone are not enough. Without the mentality, the right state of mind and the determination, it is impossible to win at this level.
Driven by Deschamps, France are the first World Cup holders to return to the final since Brazil in 1998, as they seek to become the first team in 60 years to retain the trophy.
It has certainly been different to 2018, with half of the French roster having changed, in part due to injuries to key players such as Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Lucas Hernandez.
In 2018, Deschamps became only the third man to win the trophy as a manager, having also done so as a player, after Brazilian Mario Zagallo and West German Franz Beckenbauer.
He is now one game away from becoming the first manager to win the World Cup twice in the post-war period.
Whatever happens on Sunday, France’s run to this point means out-of-contract Deschamps is free to decide whether he wants to stay and lead Les Bleus to Euro 2024.
He is expected to do so, despite the figure of Zinedine Zidane lurking in the shadows.
“I’m not the most important thing here,” he said after beating Morocco.
“We are lucky to keep our title and it is already a great achievement. Hopefully we can be even happier on Sunday.
