France head coach Didier Deschamps was under pressure on Wednesday to quit after his side's 2-1 loss to Spain in the semi-finals at the European championships in Germany.
Deschamps' men took the lead in the ninth minute at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Tuesday night but were pegged back midway through the first-half after 16-year-old Lamine Yamal's sumptuous strike into the top left hand corner.
Dani Olmo added Spain's second shortly afterwards.
And though France enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the second-half, they spurned several chances to draw level.
During a post-match press conference, 55-year-old Deschamps slapped down questions over his future.
"You're a piece of work," he told one reporter. "Ask my federation chief that question. I just lost a semi-final, do you think I'm already thinking about that? I respect you and ask that you also respect those who have responsibilities."
But Daniel Riolo, an influential pundit, told French broadcaster RMC that the doubts would resurface over his role after more than a decade in the job.
Exit
"Deschamps hangs on. Deschamps stays," said Riolo. "Maybe at the time just after the match, asking him if he's leaving might upset him, but the question will come up tomorrow, or whenever he wants.
"The man has been here for 12 years and doesn't want to hear the question. Stop. I've had enough. Get out of here. Go and play a quiet game of padel in sunny Monaco. Get on with it."
Since taking over in 2012 from former France international teammate Laurent Blanc, Deschamps – who skippered France to the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European championships – has steered his squad to the final at the 2016 European championships, the 2018 World Cup crown, the last-16 at Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup final and the semis at Euro 2024.
Just before the semi-final, Philippe Diallo, Deschamps' boss at the French football federation, hailed him on French broadcaster RTL as the best coach in the team's history.
"I'm focused on helping him continue since he has a contract until 2026," said Diallo who took over in January 2023 from Noël Le Graët who controversially reappointed Deschamps after the 2022 World Cup.
"I hear the critics, of course," Diallo added. "I often find them harsh. Major tournaments, especially the European championsips, are played between 24 teams who are very close.
"Reaching the last four is always an achievement that shouldn't be trivialized."
Support
Despite the supremo's backing, Deschamps and his coaches will be forced to review how they can compensate for slumps in form from key personnel.
"The responsibility for the defeat is mine," Deschamps said following the game. "I'm not going to assign more responsibility for it to one player more than another."
In the prelude to the match, Deschamps singled out the Spanish as the most impressive side at the tournament.
And Luis de la Fuente's outfit showed mental fortitude to come from behind, take the lead and resist the French incursions.
"This Spanish team has a lot of qualities," Deschamps added. "We were less effective and lacked verticality in our play.
"Even though we pushed until the end, I won't blame the players. They gave everything they had. Obviously, not all of them were at 100 percent for this competition for various reasons."
Skipper Kylian Mbappé, playing without a face mask to protect a broken nose, set up France's opener for Randal Kolo Muani.
But the Real Madrid-bound striker – touted to be one of the stars of the tournament – missed a presentable chance after being set up by Bradley Barcola in the closing stages.
"Bradley did a great job getting the ball to me," said Mbappé. "I beat the defender and after that I should score or at least get the shot on target ... it goes over the bar.
"That's the harsh reality of football. It stays 2-1 and we go home," the 25-year-old rued.
"The competition was a failure. I wanted to be European champion with the team and we're not."
