Didier Deschamps tipped to continue as France manager

Didier Deschamps is keen to stay on as France manager following Les Bleus’ World Cup final defeat, reports have claimed.

The current boss has long been tipped to leave after the conclusion of Qatar’s global showpiece, with Zinedine Zidane widely touted as a likely successor as he awaits a new job following his departure from Real Madrid at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

After the final defeat to Argentina, Deschamps refused to be drawn on his future, insisting he wouldn’t have had an answer even if France had won the tournament.

However, L’Equipe state that Deschamps, whose contract is up at the end of the calendar year, is actually keen to stay on until Euro 2024 and perhaps even the 2026 World Cup.

The belief is that French FA chief Noel Le Graet wants Deschamps to stick around, as does Emmanuel Macron. The President was on the pitch after the final defeat in an attempt to console his players and has taken a keen interest in the team’s performance.

One conundrum for the powers-that-be is the future of Karim Benzema, who appeared to confirm his international retirement after the tournament came to an end. The Real Madrid striker was part of the French squad but left the camp because of an injury which is understood to have healed relatively quickly, but for whatever reason, he did not return.

There have been numerous reports that Benzema has once again fallen out with Deschamps, and Foot Mercato go as far as to claim that the striker would even reverse his retirement decision if a new manager was in place.

It is reported that Benzema has even made it clear that he would return if Zidane was given the place in the dugout.

French officials are set for talks with Deschamps following his return to the country, with a final decision expected soon.