How the France players reacted to Didier Deschamps’ exit announcement | OneFootball

In early January, Didier Deschamps announced that he would be leaving his position as manager of the France national team. His exit will not be immediate. The former Olympique de Marseille manager will lead Les Bleus during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and depart upon the conclusion of that tournament.

Deschamps will not retire with the Frenchman announcing that he is keen on a return to club management after what will have been a 14-year stint at the head of Les Bleus. Zinédine Zidane is the overwhelming favourite to succeed the current France manager.

L’Équipe have now revealed how the France squad reacted to the news of Deschamps’ upcoming departure. There are many different WhatsApp groups containing players from the national team. For some, the announcement “didn’t evoke anything”, whereas some were surprised by the announcement, as well as its timing.

Someone close to a key player of Les Bleus told L’Équipe that some players believed that Deschamps’ announcement was done in order to ensure a “calmer” 15-month period, where he would be “criticised less” and could have more “free reign” over affairs in the lead up to the World Cup.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle