December 19 – Following a heartbreaking World Cup final defeat to Argentina, French coach Didier Deschamps left his future as manager of the national team in the balance.
“Even if we’d won, I wouldn’t reply to that question tonight,” said the 54-year-old Frenchman.
“Obviously I am very sad. I will have a meeting with the president at the start of the new year and you will know after that.”
French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet was in the stands as France rallied with an outrageous Kylian Mbappe hattrick to take Argentina to penalties before Emiliano Martinez and Gonzalo Montiel became turned heroes for the South Americans.
Le Graet is under criticism at home for the way he has led the French federation, frequently controversially, but on the field Les Bleus proved once again that they are a formidable side after winning the world crown in 2018.
Deschamps maintained that the playing XI only had the fit players as news reports suggest France were battling a bout of illness in their camp.
“The squad has been facing a tricky situation…maybe that had a physical and psychological impact,” said Deschamps. “But I had no concerns about the players who started. They were 100% fit but we only had four days since the last match so perhaps there is some tiredness.”
France could have become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain their world title, but in one of the greatest finals of all time, a lax first hour ultimately proved to be their undoing as they were left chasing the game. Even so Mbappe starred, becoming the first player since Geoff Hurst in 1966 to score a hattrick in the final. It was not enough however and Messi and Argentina claimed their third world title, ending a 36-year wait.
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