By David Gold
July 9 – Didier Deschamps has been confirmed as the new coach of the French national team, taking over from Laurent Blanc.
Deschamps, 43, captained France to their only World Cup title in 1998 on home soil, playing alongside Blanc, and left his position as Marseille coach last week.
“Noël Le Graët, President of the French Football Federation (FFF), and Didier Deschamps have finished their discussions and reached an agreement for the nomination of Mr Deschamps as France coach,” an FFF statement read.
Deschamps (pictured top, alongside Le Graët) started his managerial career with principality club Monaco, who surprised Europe by reaching the final of the Champions League under his stewardship in 2004.
He then left to join Juventus following their relegation to Serie B after the Calciopoli affair in 2006, guiding them back into the top flight.
But last year was a miserable one at Marseille, who endured an horrendous mid-season run of 11 defeats in 12 games.
Despite that, Deschamps left Marseille having won six trophies, including the league title in 2010, but his last season was marred by an unseemly spat off the pitch with the club’s sporting director, José Anigo.
Deschamps will now hope to forge a better working relationship with Le Graët.
Le Graët’s own relationship with Deschamps’ predecessor, Blanc (pictured above, on left, with Deschamps), also appeared difficult at times last season, with the latter wanting his future as France coach sorted out prior to this year’s UEFA European Championship.
France went out at the quarterfinals stage after a 2-0 defeat to Spain, but their tournament was rocked by dressing room infighting.
After a 2-0 defeat to Sweden in the group stage, an argument broke out within the ranks and the misbehaviour of senior players was, for the second time in three years, under the microscope.
Samir Nasri is facing disciplinary action from the FFF for swearing at a journalist after the Spain loss, whilst Yann M’Vila, Hatem Ben Arfa and Jérémy Menez all have to defend themselves against a range of alleged misdemeanours.
Deschamps will now have to pull together a sometimes divided team in time for the qualification campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
He will take charge of the team for the first time against Copa America champions Uruguay on August 15 in Le Havre.
France’s qualification campaign for the World Cup will pit them against World and European champions Spain, Belarus, Georgia and Finland.
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