France manager Didier Deschamps has announced he is to step down after the 2026 World Cup, having lifted it as both a player and coach.
The longest-serving coach in Les Bleus history, Deschamps will leave his post after next year’s tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
After 14 years in charge, the 56-year-old will leave a remarkable record.
He guided France to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and was inches away from retaining the title four years later in Qatar.
Under his leadership, France also made the final of Euro 2016, losing narrowly to Portugal.
Speaking as news broke of his departure, he told French broadcaster TF1: “In 2026 it will be over. In my head it’s very clear.
“I’ve done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level.
“One has to be able to say stop, there’s a life after this. The most important is for France to stay at the top as they have been for many years.”
France get their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign under way after their Nations League quarter-final against Croatia, which will impact their qualifying group.
Didier Deschamps To Step Down After Double World Cup Triumph
By winning the 2018 World Cup as a manager, Deschamps became only the third man in history to win the competition as both a player and a coach.
The former midfielder captained France to the 1998 title, 20 years before leading them to glory again from the dugout.
Only Franz Beckenbauer (Germany) and Mario Zagallo (Brazil) have achieved the same feat,
Deschamps took over as French boss in 2012, succeeding Laurent Blanc after the side crashed out of Euro 2012 at the quarter-final stage.
His first major tournament was the 2014 World Cup, where they were beaten in the last eight by eventual winners Germany.
France then lost the Euro 2016 final on home soil to Portugal in extra time.
But in 2018, they defeated Croatia 4-2 in Moscow to win the World Cup for the second time in their history, both led by Deschamps.
The Nations League title then followed in 2021, before they were beaten finalists once more in Qatar 2022.
A 3-3 draw with Argentina ended in heartbreak Lionel Messi inspired his side to victory on penalties.
In the club game, Deschamps won trophies with each of Marseille, Juventus and Monaco.
