“An important sign of confidence”: Deschamps reacts after his extension with the Blues

Europe 1 with AFP 3 p.m., January 7, 2023

Four more years with the Blues.

Coach Didier Deschamps was extended at the head of the French football team this Saturday until 2026, the year of the next World Cup.

A decision taken by the president of the French Federation, Noël Le Graët, who had left the choice to the tactician to be able to continue the adventure in the event of a minimum semi-final at the last World Cup.

Barely reappointed, Didier Deschamps gave an interview to the press this Saturday.

What is your first feeling after this extension?

"It's a huge pleasure for me. You know the consideration I have for the France team. I consider it above all and it's the best thing that has happened to me, whether it's during of my first life as a player or the second as a coach. It's only happiness what we experienced there (at the 2022 World Cup, editor's note), except for the end and this cruel outcome. But from the moment when the desire and the determination are at their maximum and that my desire is shared by my president, it leads to this decision which gives me enormous pleasure.

Did you hesitate?

"No. I didn't have to hesitate. As I do after every major competition, I needed a little time and perspective for analysis and reflection. If I had had any hesitations, I wouldn't be here today."

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Was it important for you to sign a four-year extension?

"It's a very important mark of confidence to be able to have a contract until 2026. But everything is done in stages, there is a requirement for results, the expectation is always important with the qualifications for Euro 2024 which are going to happen. I don't plan on the next World Cup, there will be other meetings before but it is above all a mark of confidence even if I did not lack any before."

Did the exceptional potential of French players influence your desire to continue?

"If I am still here today with the course that the French team has achieved for ten years, it is because of the quality of the players. There is a reservoir. I am well aware of having a pool and a potential of high-level players. But there are other selections that also have it. All the countries are working well and the high level is very difficult and is unforgivable. But despite the difficulties and the imponderables before and during ( the World Cup, editor's note), the group of players who were in Doha had a lot of quality and talent, with executives who played their role well and young people. This gave a very competitive group which showed incredible strength and unit who found themselves on the field. It is a privilege to have so many players likely to wear the jersey of theFrench team."

Aren't you afraid of wear and tear?

"It's a question that some have asked themselves before. The very high level has very high demands and in my mind, it's not to continue to continue. If I continue, it's because I'm convinced that there are great things to do and that I have all the energy to do them. But it's not to copy and paste. The situations are never the same, nor are the players. With my staff , we talk a lot with them. It's important to have a relationship of trust that allows us to understand issues with them, sometimes private ones too. Continuity in a climate of trust is very important."

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At the level of the players, should we expect renewal?

"It's difficult to answer you. I would have discussions with the players. Afterwards, there is always competition which is there. The truth of the World Cup will not be that of March, I do not know nor which players will be available in March. The situation is not fixed. We have a peripheral view with the staff. The players had little time to breathe and we also started to follow them. We have a A solid month of March with a qualification phase that is never a long calm river. We must never rest on our laurels and always have the same requirements to achieve our goal of qualifying for the Euros".