Euro 2024: France dismisses insinuations Deschamps may be sacked
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France has announced that Didier Deschamps will remain as national team manager after Tuesday's 2-1 Euro 2024 semi-final defeat against Spain. Les Bleus crashed out after an underwhelming tournament but Deschamps has been trusted to guide the nation into the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Randal Kolo Muani headed France into an early lead at the Allianz Arena in Munich before Lamine Yamal's long-range stunner and Dani Olmo's quickfire second turned the tie on its head.
Spain booked their spot in Sunday's Berlin final, while Deschamps' side crashed out, having scored just four goals across their six Euro 2024 games.
The 55-year-old refused to discuss his future immediately after the defeat, stating: "Ask my president… I've just lost a semi-final."
He has been France's manager for 12 years, having replaced Laurent Blanc after a second-place group finish and quarter-final exit to Spain at Euro 2012.
Deschamps has guided his nation to at least the semi-final stage in four of his six major tournaments in charge, lifting the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
And Philippe Diallo, the French Football Federation President, has confirmed that he wants Deschamps to continue in the role for the next World Cup in two years, the last tournament of his current contract.
"I don't see any reason to question his contract. Past results speak in his favour, and the objectives have been achieved. Didier will continue his mission," Diallo told L'Equipe on Wednesday.
"We're going to be talking to each other over the next few days to analyse in greater depth what we lacked during this semi-final and what would have enabled us to go further.
"During this month, I've seen a lot of professionalism and a quest for excellence. We need to keep the French team moving in this direction."
Deschamps could oversee something of a rebuild away from some of the most trusted players of his reign if he decides to continue as France's boss.