“Maybe you shouldn’t have even asked this question” - Didier Deschamps loses his cool after being asked about France future following Euro 2024 exit
France head coach Didier Deschamps lost his cool after being asked about his future as the boss of the national team, following their exit from EURO 2024. The manager could only drive them to the semi-final of the competition, with Spain beating them 2-1 to secure a spot in the final.
Les Bleus did score first, with Randal Kolo Muani propelling them into an early lead in the eighth minute. However, his effort was canceled out by a Lamine Yamal wondergoal in the 21st minute, and only four minutes after, Dani Olmo put La Roja ahead.
After the match, Deschamps was asked about his future as the head coach of the France national team, and he did not take kindly to that line of questioning. He responded (via Evening Standard):
"I've just lost a semi-final. You know how my president thinks. Maybe you shouldn't have even asked this question."
France managed to get to the semi-final of EURO 2024 without scoring a single goal from open play. They got through with two own goals when they faced Austria and Belgium, while Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot against Poland. Their drab style of play also put Deschamps under the spotlight earlier, and again, he did not like the question, responding:
"If you're getting bored, you know what? Watch another game, that's fine. You don't have to watch, it's fine. It's a European Championship, it's very difficult for everyone. But I'm sorry if the Swedish are getting bored of our football. It doesn't really bother me that much."
Deschamps may have cause to be concerned about his future. However, he did lead them to two consecutive World Cup finals, while getting to the semi-final of EURO 2024. These successes may count for something when he sits in front of the France FA.
Didier Deschamps somewhat vindicated after refusal to drop Kylian Mbappe for EURO 2024 semi-final clash
Didier Deschamps has been somewhat vindicated for his refusal to drop Kylian Mbappe for the EURO 2024 semi-final against Spain. The superstar had not been near his best, following a nose break at the beginning of the tournament that saw him play later games with a face mask.
Mbappe, to put it simply, struggled to meet expectations. Aside from a goal and an assist in the games before the semi-final, he was unable to do much else, and this could largely be attributed to his injury.
Although this led to calls to drop the 25-year-old Real Madrid signing, Deschamps refused to do so, starting Mbappe in the EURO 2024 semi-final. They may not have won the game, but the forward did pick up an assist, sending in the cross for Kolo Muani to score their opening goal.