Deschamps’ departure in 2026: his already impressive figures at the head of the France team

Even if he still has Nations League matches, qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup and the latter possibly to be played, Didier Deschamps, who formalized this Wednesday his departure from the Blues after the next World Cup, will remain regardless arrives a coach with impressive statistics.

Here are some figures to look back on his 12 years at the head of the French football team.

Under his leadership, the France team won two titles: the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League. France also lost two finals, during Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.

3

Only three footballers have been crowned world champions as players and then as coaches. With his titles from 1998 and 2018, Deschamps joined Brazilian Mario Zagallo and German Franz Beckenbauer.

14

Arriving in 2012, Didier Deschamps will, after 2026, have spent 14 years at the head of the French team, an exceptional longevity, making him the coach to have remained in his position the longest continuously, far ahead of Michel Hidalgo (8 years old) and Raymond Domenech (6 years old). On a global level, however, he will not join Guillermo Stabile and his 21 years with the Argentines from 1939 to 1960, nor the Englishman Walter Winterbottom at the head of England for 16 years from 1946 to 1962, nor the German Joachim Löw who led Germany for 15 years, from 2006 to 2021.

14

Another notable record of the Deschamps era came in November 2023, during qualifying for Euro 2024, when France crushed Gibraltar 14-0, establishing the biggest victory in their history.

115

With 115 different players used, including 89 launched for the first time, Deschamps is clearly ahead of Michel Hidalgo who used 89 players between 1976 and 1984.

137

Didier Deschamps was able to count on a golden generation, and several players marked his era. Antoine Griezmann was the most used player under his leadership, with 137 caps, before he retired internationally. Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris complete the podium of players most selected by Deschamps.

165

In 165 matches managed between 2012 and 2024, Deschamps made the France team a winning machine, recording 105 victories, 34 draws and 26 defeats. His winning percentage, 63.6%, makes him one of the most successful coaches in the history of world football.