Deschamps refuses to treat consolation final as friendly match

In a video posted by the French federation, 57‑year‑old Didier Deschamps declared that the upcoming consolation final against England is anything but a friendly, emphasizing the pain of missing the coveted final and the determination to fight for third place on Saturday at 23:00 Dutch time. France’s semi‑final defeat came on Tuesday evening, a 2‑0 loss to Spain, ending any hope of a WK‑zege. Deschamps stressed, "If you don’t reach the final you wanted, it hurts. Gelukkig does it also hurt," underscoring the disappointment while vowing to battle for the remaining podium spot. The 57‑year‑old will leave after the WK as head coach, confirming his exit at the end of the tournament. De French federation announced his departure following the competition, marking the end of his tenure that began in 2012.

Konaté warns France after World Cup heartbreak against Spain

Deschamps guided France to the 2018 WK‑zege, beating Croatia 4‑2 in the final, delivering the nation its second World Cup title. That triumph cemented his reputation as a successful manager on the global stage. In Qatar 2022, his side reached the WK final again but fell to Argentina after a penalty shoot‑out, showing both resilience and the fine margins at the highest level.

Deschamps demands France to battle England in third‑place showdown

Zinedine Zidane has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Deschamps as the next manager of the French national team, positioning himself as the likely successor for the role. With the consolation final against Engeland set for Saturday, Deschamps reminded his players of the duty they owe to the shirt, the fans, and the nation, insisting the match is far from a friendly and that they will fight for the third place.