Deschamps Says Stifling Atmosphere Led To His Decision To Step Down As France Coach

Departing France coach Didier Deschamps decided to end his 14-year spell in the role because of a "stifling atmosphere" around him, ‌he said on Saturday, following Les Bleus' 6-4 loss to England in the at the World Cup.

Deschamps announced last year that he would leave when his contract expired after the ⁠tournament.

"I decided that it had to stop. And if I made that decision, it wasn’t for my own sake – I’m telling you this in all honesty – it was for the good of the French team", he told M6. "Because the atmosphere around me had become so stifling. The French national ‌team ⁠doesn’t deserve that."

Deschamps was sometimes criticised for favouring balance, discipline and efficiency over spectacle, even when blessed with some of the most gifted attacking players in world ⁠football.

"Ever since the announcement, things have been much better for the French team," he added.

Deschamps, who took charge in ⁠2012, will be remembered as the coach who led France to their second world title ⁠in 2018, two decades after captaining them on the field to their first, hosted on home soil.