Didier Deschamps will step down from his role as France head coach at the end of his current contract, which expires after the 2026 World Cup, Afrosport reports.
Deschamps, who took over the France coaching role in 2012 after Laurent Blanc stepped down, has enjoyed immense success as Les Bleus boss over the last 13 years.
The 56-year-old led France to triumph at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he became just the third person to win the Mundial as a player and coach, as well as the 2021 Nations League. He guided Les Bleus to the finals of the 2016 European Championship and 2022 World Cup and the semifinals at Euro 2024.
Deschamps is expected to lead France to next year’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and if the two-time world champions fail to qualify, he will leave at the end of the qualifying campaign.
The former Juventus and Marseille boss already holds the record for being the longest-serving coach in France’s history. He also holds the record of most World Cup knockout wins for a coach and is the first manager to lead a team to a World Cup, Euros, and Nations League final.
France will either be drawn in Group D or Group L for the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, depending on the outcome of their Nations League quarter-final clash against Croatia.
Didier Deschamps, however, is expected to make an official announcement about his decision to step down on Wednesday, 8 January.
