The two parties wanted to extend their common adventure in the breath of the World Cup final, lost on December 18 on penalties against Argentina, four years after the gold of Moscow.

But stumbling blocks, first of all the duration of the contract, delayed the deadline.

The standoff seems to have been won by the 54-year-old coach, provided with a new lease of three and a half years supposed to take him to the 2026 World Cup in North America, a wish that the president of the FFF Noël Le Graët was initially reluctant to grant, preferring Euro-2024 as a horizon.

"I am going to announce something to you which is an immense pleasure for me, namely that my president has decided to extend me until 2026", declared Deschamps at the tribune of the General Assembly of the Federation, Saturday in Paris.

"I thank the president for his permanent support and his continued confidence," added "DD", welcomed by a standing ovation.

Assistant coach Guy Stéphan, goalkeeping coach Franck Raviot and physical trainer Cyril Moine are also continuing their mission.

Appointed in July 2012 by the current boss of French football, Deschamps has never made a secret of his wish to continue.

"The France team has always been the best thing that has happened to me in my professional life, in my first life as a player and then as a coach", said the former midfielder in Doha: "The most important thing is that It was never me, but the France team. She is above everything, I am at her service".

French coach Didier Deschamps after his team's victory in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup against Poland at the Al-Thumama stadium in Doha, December 4, 2022 © FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Archives

Record longevity

The 1998 world champion has the greatest longevity in the position ahead of Michel Hidalgo, who stayed eight years and six months (March 1976 - June 1984), the record for matches on the French bench (138, far from the 79 of the previous holder Raymond Domenech) and, above all, the most beautiful track record.

Appointed on the still smoking ruins of the Knysna fiasco at the 2010 World Cup, after a two-year hiatus under Laurent Blanc, he put the blue ship back afloat with constant progress: a quarter-final at the Brazilian World Cup-2014 (lost 1 -0 against Germany, future winner), a final lost at Euro-2016 in France and the world title in Russia.

The disappointment of the last Euro, completed in the round of 16 in the summer of 2021, had wavered his aura, but not his determination.

The idea of ​​leaving never crossed his mind, "not even for half a second", he confided in December 2021 to several media, including AFP.

"I don't feel any wear and tear as a coach. If I could be ten years older than what I'm experiencing today, that would be ideal."

The early exit from the track against Switzerland, however, left its mark.

Contrary to custom, Le Graët subsequently did not extend Deschamps' contract once qualification was acquired for the 2022 World Cup.

The former player of Nantes, Marseille and Juventus, in particular, therefore crossed the competition in Qatar without contractual security, a first under his reign, without it visibly disturbing him.

The Blues arrived in Qatar weakened by recent disappointing results, tactical errors and a long list of injured.

But the defending champions and their "father victory" held on until the final, a real feat in view of the many pitfalls.

France coach Didier Deschamps (l.) with French striker Kylian Mbappé (r.) during a training session in Doha on December 16, 2022 © FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Archives

The vice-world champions will return to competition on March 24 at the Stade de France against the Netherlands for the start of qualifying for Euro-2024.

The only trophy that "DD" did not win on the tricolor bench.

© 2023 AFP