PARIS: Didier Deschamps has signed a new deal that will keep him as France head coach until June 2026

The 54-year-old’s future with the national team had been in doubt after the defeat by Argentina in the World Cup Final in Qatar.

Deschamps, a former World Cup-winning captain, has guided France to success in the 2018 World Cup and 2020-21 UEFA Nations League as well as to runners-up spot at hosts in Euro 2016.

Speculation had suggested that he would step down after the shootout disappointment in Qatar, apparently opening the way for Zinedine Zidane.

However this was robustly refuted by FFF president Noel Le Graet who reportedly said that if the ex-Real Madrid coach had tried to call “I wouldn’t even have lifted the telephone.” The comment was denounced as a “lack of respect” by World Cup top scorer and PSG star Kylian Mbappe.

Zidane will now be considered a lurking employment threat to coaches in every major western European club,

The French federation said: “The French Football Federation and Noël Le Graët, its president, are pleased to announce the extension of Didier Deschamps at the head of the French team until June 2026.

“Appointed on 9 July 2012 by Noël Le Graët, Didier Deschamps has an exceptional record at the head of the national team with 89 wins, 28 draws and 22 losses in 139 matches, [with] 279 goals scored and 119 conceded. “

Guy Stéphan, assistant to Didier Deschamps, Franck Raviot, goalkeeping coach, and Cyril Moine, physical trainer, will also stay on.

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