Obraniak calls Favard a "drunk" after clash over Deschamps' record

France’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup ignited a bitter clash between two pundits: Ludovic Obraniak and Gilles Favard clashed violently on X over Didier Deschamps’ record, as the manager prepares to leave the France bench after fourteen years at the helm.

It all started with an analysis by Obraniak on La chaîne L’Équipe. The former Polish international (34 caps) was scathing about the manager’s record: “Ultimately, his calling card is that you have seven tournaments, and you only win one.” He also criticized certain management methods.

Gilles Favard did not let it slide. The former player agent responded directly on X: “Your analysis on Deschamps is pathetic.” Obraniak’s reply came swiftly and sharply: “Can’t be bothered to answer drunks.”

The two men know each other well: Obraniak and Favard were colleagues at La chaîne L’Équipe for a year and a half, before the channel decided not to renew Favard’s contract in summer 2022. Since then, he has made numerous appearances on entertainment television shows, where his outspoken nature was regularly on display.

This exchange reflects the polarization of debate surrounding Deschamps following France’s elimination. While the manager led France to a World Cup title in 2018 and two World Cup finals (2022) as well as a Euro final (2016), his critics point to a record they deem insufficient given the human resources at his disposal. His departure, now confirmed, opens a new era for the national team and inevitably reignites debate over his legacy.