FFF promises official tribute to Deschamps for 14 years leading France

The French Football Federation will organize an official tribute to Didier Deschamps at Stade de France for his fourteen years leading the France national team, FFF president Philippe Diallo confirmed. The timing remains dependent on the wishes of the man himself, who has requested time before returning to the world of football.

“I spoke with Didier at the end of the World Cup. His wish was to take a step back. As soon as he is ready, it is natural that a tribute will be paid to him,” Diallo said during a working meeting with elected officials and employees of the Leagues and Districts of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie.

Since the end of the 2022 World Cup, Deschamps has deliberately distanced himself from football. His daily life is divided between time with family, padel matches and personal projects, including the opening of a restaurant in Dubai. While he does not rule out a return to a coaching position, he is considering waiting until next summer before repositioning himself, despite strong financial interest from Saudi Arabia.

To justify the approach, Diallo recalled the scale of the journey since the Knysna crisis in 2010: “He managed to restore the image, to get people behind the team again and achieve sporting performances. That deserves recognition from French football.” Under Deschamps’ leadership, France won the 2018 World Cup, reached the final in 2022 and played in two Euro finals (2016 and 2021).

The exact date of the ceremony has not been announced, with the FFF waiting for the former manager to give the green light himself.