The pressure is mounting on France manager Didier Deschamps following his team’s exit from Euro 2024, succumbing to a resilient Spain in the semifinals. Despite the disappointment, Deschamps' storied tenure at the helm of the national team, including guiding them to World Cup glory in 2018, provides some reassurance for his continued leadership.
Deschamps' contract, which runs through the end of the 2026 World Cup, required a semifinal appearance in Germany as a stipulated objective. Reaching this milestone temporarily secures his position, though the team’s underwhelming performance—managing just one goal from open play during the tournament—casts a shadow over what should have been a triumph of meeting contractual expectations.
Underpinning this less-than-impressive offensive output is the wealth of attacking talent available to Deschamps, making the lack of creativity and finishing even more perplexing. The tactical setups and positional changes were numerous, yet the execution on the pitch failed to reflect the potential within the squad.
Deschamps, visibly frustrated in the aftermath of the semifinal loss, responded sharply when questioned about his future. "You are terrible. Ask that question to the president [of the FFF], I have just come from losing a semifinal and you think that I have already [thought about that]? Me, I respect you, you should try to respect the people who have responsibility a little more as well. I say that in total calmness. What has happened happened -- I am here to respond to your questions but I am not going to respond to that today. You know very well the situation and you know what the president thinks -- so maybe you didn't have to ask me that question," said Deschamps, clearly irked by the timing of the inquiry.
The semifinal match also saw Antoine Griezmann setting a new national record for most appearances at World Cups and European Championships with his 36th tournament appearance. Griezmann, who came off the bench in the 62nd minute against Spain, reflected on his experience at Euro 2024 with a sense of resolve. "I started badly. After that, I started to feel better and better, and I ended up on the bench. We'll come back. I tried to give my all with a lot of tactical and positional changes. You had to adapt all the time. Understanding [Deschamps' decision]? No, that's personal. But that's how it is, that's the life of a footballer. Others in the squad haven't played a minute so I'm not going to be the one to complain," he stated, conveying both his personal and professional respect for the decisions made during the tournament.
Griezmann’s commitment to the national team remains evident, as he expressed his desire to continue representing France in future tournaments: "Oh guys, I still want to play [in 2026]," he declared. His enthusiasm and determination will be crucial as the team looks ahead to future competitions.
Deschamps' future with the French national team now hinges significantly on the support from the French football federation, which will play a decisive role in any upcoming decisions. For now, his contractual safety net provided by achieving a semifinal berth allows for a period of reflection and regrouping.
The French football federation’s backing will be essential as Deschamps navigates the fallout from Euro 2024 and prepares the squad for the 2026 World Cup. The national team, laden with talent, has the potential to redeem itself on the world stage. The task now is for Deschamps to refine his strategies and for the players to align their performances with their undeniable capabilities.
While the semifinal exit is a setback, it serves as a critical juncture for the team and its manager. The blending of experienced figures like Griezmann and the emerging young talents will be indispensable in their quest for future success. With time still on his side, Deschamps has an opportunity to fortify his legacy and steer France toward new heights in international football.