After 14 years at the helm, Didier Deschamps has stepped down as France manager following the national team’s fourth-place finish at the 2026 World Cup. His final match ended in a thrilling 4-6 defeat to England in the third-place playoff, with Les Bleus staging a spirited second-half comeback after trailing 0-4 at halftime.

“It has been a deeply personal day for me, given everything the French team has meant to me throughout my life, though all good things must come to an end,” Deschamps shared in an emotional interview. “I will miss the national team.”

His departure marks the end of an era, with Deschamps leaving behind a record of 120 wins, 35 draws, and 30 losses, including a World Cup triumph in 2018 and two major tournament finals missed—Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.

“I thoroughly enjoyed every moment”

Even in his final press conference, Deschamps held nothing back in his assessment of the team’s performance. “The first half was catastrophic,” he admitted. “But there was pride in the second half—we came close to turning things around. These players are world-class, young, and full of potential. They have what it takes to stay at the top.”

Despite the disappointment of the semifinals, Deschamps praised his squad with heartfelt gratitude. “I thanked them for showing resilience and pride, especially after the painful semi-final defeat. I also thanked them as a person—because I genuinely loved every moment, particularly the interactions with players of all ages. The future looks bright for them.”

He leaves behind a team still in its youthful prime, with most key players set to remain competitive for the next World Cup in four years. “The expectations are high after these years, but it’s not pressure—just confidence in their quality,” he reflected. “I’m so proud of them, of everything we achieved together. The group was united, and so was my staff. And, of course, I’m proud of myself. It’s over for me with the national team, at least. I’m young at heart, but first, I need to recharge, enjoy time with my family, and rest. As I always say, the best is yet to come.”