Pressure Mounts on Deschamps After France's Euro 2024 Semifinal Exit
The pressure is mounting on France manager Didier Deschamps following his team’s exit from Euro 2024 at the hands of Spain in the semifinals. This defeat has brought his tenure under intense scrutiny, despite previous successes.
Deschamps, who previously led France to World Cup glory in 2018, now finds his position increasingly questioned as his team struggled to make an impact offensively, managing just one goal from open play during the tournament. This underperformance was particularly glaring given the wealth of attacking talent at his disposal.
The semifinal appearance in Germany, however, was one of the objectives stipulated in Deschamps' contract with the French football federation (FFF). Reaching this benchmark means that, for now, his position remains secure. His contract runs through the end of the 2026 World Cup, giving him a window to potentially redeem and regroup his team.
Antoine Griezmann’s Personal Milestone
Amid the disappointment, Antoine Griezmann provided a glimmer of pride for France. Coming off the bench in the 62nd minute against Spain, Griezmann set a new national record for most appearances at World Cups and European Championships with his 36th tournament appearance. Speaking after the match, Griezmann was candid about his experience in the tournament. "I started badly. After that, I started to feel better and better, and I ended up on the bench. We'll come back. I tried to give my all with a lot of tactical and positional changes. You had to adapt all the time," he said.
Griezmann also made it clear that despite the setback, his commitment to the national team remains steadfast. "Oh guys, I still want to play [in 2026]," he assured, demonstrating his desire to continue contributing to France’s football legacy.
Deschamps Defense and Future Prospects
In the post-match press conference, Deschamps faced questions about his future with the team and responded with a blend of frustration and calm resolve. "You are terrible. Ask that question to the president [of the FFF], I have just come from losing a semifinal and you think that I have already [thought about that]? Me, I respect you, you should try to respect the people who have responsibility a little more as well. I say that in total calmness. What has happened happened -- I am here to respond to your questions but I am not going to respond to that today. You know very well the situation and you know what the president thinks -- so maybe you didn't have to ask me that question," Deschamps responded.
Deschamps’ reaction underscores the sensitive nature of his role in guiding the team through a period of both high expectations and visible challenges. The support of the French football federation will be crucial to his future with the team, as they deliberate on the next steps following the Euro 2024 exit.
As the French squad looks toward upcoming tournaments, the focus will undoubtedly be on revitalizing their attacking prowess and leveraging the experience of seasoned players like Griezmann, while also cultivating new talent to ensure sustained competitiveness on the international stage.