Deschamps steps away from France duty after death of his mother

Didier Deschamps will be absent from the France bench for Friday’s World Cup qualifying Group I finale against Norway following the death of his mother, the French Football Federation confirmed.

The federation announced that Deschamps learned of his mother’s passing on Thursday morning and has returned to France to attend her funeral. He will also miss the training sessions leading up to the match.

“Didier Deschamps will not be able to oversee training sessions ahead of the Norway v France match,” the federation said in a statement. “He will also be absent from the bench for Friday’s final Group I game. The national team coach learned this morning of the death of his mother and will return to France to attend her funeral.”

With Deschamps away, assistant coach Guy Stephan has been entrusted with full responsibility for leading the squad. The arrangement was made in agreement with Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, who is currently present at the team’s base camp.

“In agreement with Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, who is currently at the France team’s base camp, Deschamps has entrusted assistant coach Guy Stephan with responsibility for leading the squad until his return,” the statement added.

Stephan is a long-standing member of Deschamps’ backroom staff and has served as his assistant with the national team since 2012, including during France’s 2018 World Cup triumph and their run to the 2022 final in Qatar. His familiarity with the squad and the coaching setup means the transition in leadership is expected to be seamless for the duration of Deschamps’ absence.