The pressure is mounting on France manager Didier Deschamps following his team's exit from Euro 2024 at the hands of Spain in the semifinals. Despite previously leading France to World Cup glory in 2018, Deschamps now finds himself under intense scrutiny.
Deschamps' contract, which runs through the end of the 2026 World Cup, had stipulated a semifinal appearance as one of his objectives. Though reaching this milestone technically secures his position for now, France's underwhelming performance in the tournament has not gone unnoticed. The team managed just one goal from open play throughout the competition, a dismal return considering the wealth of attacking talent at Deschamps' disposal.
In his post-match comments, Deschamps exhibited his frustration when questioned about his future. "You are terrible. Ask that question to the president [of the FFF]," he said. "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."
Indeed, the support of the French Football Federation (FFF) will be crucial for Deschamps' future. The federation's faith in him and the long-term vision for the team might shield him from immediate consequences, but the expectations are clear: performance must improve.
One silver lining from the tournament was the record set by Antoine Griezmann. When he came off the bench in the 62nd minute against Spain, he made his 36th tournament appearance, thereby setting a new national record for most appearances at World Cups and European Championships. This milestone underscores Griezmann's importance to the team, even as he navigates his own challenges on the field.
Reflecting on his performance in the tournament, Griezmann displayed a candid perspective. "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," Griezmann said.
Griezmann also made it clear that his commitment to the national team remains unwavering. In a moment that signaled his enduring passion for representing France, he declared, "Oh guys, I still want to play [in 2026]."
The road ahead for Deschamps and the French squad is fraught with challenges. The public and media scrutiny will not ease unless the team demonstrates a marked improvement, converting its potential into tangible results. Deschamps' tactical decisions and squad selections will likely be analyzed under a microscope moving forward. Achieving success in upcoming fixtures will be crucial for restoring confidence in Deschamps' leadership.
The foundation of trust between Deschamps and the FFF, coupled with the collective commitment of players like Griezmann, will be vital in navigating this tumultuous period. France's footballing future still harbors promise, but realization of that promise depends significantly on how the current situation is handled by all stakeholders involved.