Pressure Mounts on Deschamps After France’s Exit from Euro 2024
In the wake of France’s semifinal exit from Euro 2024 at the hands of Spain, the pressure is mounting on manager Didier Deschamps. Despite leading the French national team to World Cup glory in 2018, Deschamps now faces significant scrutiny over France’s lackluster performance in the recent tournament.
Deschamps' contract with the French football federation runs through to the end of the 2026 World Cup. This ostensibly provides him with a safety net, as reaching the semifinals in Germany was an objective stipulated within his contract. Nonetheless, the manner of the team's performance has raised questions about his future.
France, boasting a wealth of attacking talent, managed just one goal from open play throughout the tournament. This inefficiency in front of goal was particularly glaring and has fed into the broader critique of Deschamps' tactics and team selection.
After the match, Didier Deschamps faced the media with visible frustration. When questioned about his future with the team, he retorted, "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."
One of the bright spots in France’s tournament was veteran forward Antoine Griezmann setting a new national record for most appearances at World Cups and European Championships. Griezmann’s 36th tournament appearance came when he was subbed on in the 62nd minute against Spain. Griezmann’s dedication to the national team remains unwavering. He expressed his commitment clearly, saying, "Oh guys, I still want to play [in 2026]."
Reflecting on his personal experience during the tournament, Griezmann commented, "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."
As Deschamps and the French football federation consider the path forward, the federation's support will be crucial to Deschamps' tenure. His current contract technically secures his position for now, but the performance in tournaments and the ability to meet high expectations will likely determine his long-term future.
Overall, while reaching the semifinals might have sufficed in a contractual sense, the French team's performance has left many supporters and pundits questioning whether Deschamps is the right man to lead them into the next World Cup cycle. The coming months should offer more clarity, but for now, the scrutiny remains intense on the man who once brought glory to France.