"Merci, Deschamps"; Legendary French coach to step down, Zidane era to begin

Didier Deschamps' hope of an idyllic exit as head coach of the France team was dashed by the semi-final defeat. Deschamps, who led the French team to World Cup glory in 2018, had announced that he would step down from the role by the end of the campaign. Deschamps also managed to take France to the final in 2022. He also made them the champions of the Nations League in 2021. Under Deschamps, France became the runner-up in the 2016 Euro Cup.

Deschamps has been the coach of the French team since 2012.

Deschamps achieved the rare feat of winning the World Cup as both a player and a coach. He was captain when France won the World Cup for the first time in 1998.

Deschamps, who returned home following the death of his mother during the World Cup, rejoined the team just before the knockout matches. Work remains for the former French captain to achieve a third-place finish. Reports suggest that legendary Zinedine Zidane will be France's next coach.

Deschamps' era in France is rated as the glorious period where France shifted from a smooth playing style to a more aggressive one.