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The Associated Press
07-08-2012
PARIS (AP) -- Didier Deschamps is the new coach of France's troubled national soccer team.
The French Football Federation announced the appointment on its Web site Sunday after Laurent Blanc turned down a new contract offer last month.
Deschamps quit as Marseille coach a week ago despite leading the French club to a league title and a record three straight League Cups.
As a player, Deschamps captained France to victory at the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. He also won the Champions League with Marseille in 1993 and Juventus in '96.
France went on a 23-match unbeaten run under Blanc and reached the quarterfinals at the European Championship, restoring some pride in a team that was knocked out in the first round of the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 Euros under former coach Raymond Domenech.
But Blanc could not prevent his players from again being questioned about their behavior, and Deschamps' main task will be to instill more discipline on and off the field.
Blanc started rebuilding the France team with relative success after players at the last World Cup shocked fans back home by going on strike during training to protest Nicolas Anelka's exclusion from the squad for insulting Domenech. Anelka was suspended for 18 matches while Patrice Evra, Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan received shorter bans.
Now, Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yann M'Vila and Jeremy Menez face a disciplinary commission July 27 for their actions at this year's Euros in Ukraine.
Deschamps will have only an exhibition game against Uruguay next month to prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. In Group I, France will face Finland and Belarus in September and European champion Spain in October.
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07-05-2012
Zidane was tipped for France job
The French Football Federation reportedly see Zinedine Zidane as strong a candidate for the role of national team coach as Didier Deschamps.
According to L'Equipe, while Real Madrid's sporting director has no previous coaching experience, the France legend is viewed as a viable replacement for Laurent Blanc, who stepped down following the country's disappointing Euro 2012 campaign.
Deschamps was immediately installed as the favourite to succeed Blanc following his former international team-mate's resignation on June 30.
The odds on him being France's next boss only shortened after he parted company with Marseille two days later.
However, Zidane has said he would like to coach his country one day.
"I want to start preparing to take the title of coach," Zidane told Le Journal de Saone-et-Loire late last month. "The playing field is what I know best.
"I have lived 20 years of special moments and I want to convey and share my experience with others."It was a declaration that was warmly received by FFF president Noel Le
Graet, who is now giving serious thought to turning to the man who
inspired France to World Cup glory in 1998.
Speaking to reporters after Zidane's comments, Le Graet said: "I find it very charming that he has expressed a desire to be close to France's team.
"He dreams of coaching France within a decade. It is very gratifying."
Zidane, Deschamps and Blanc were also a part of the side that won Euro 2000.
The Associated Press
07-08-2012
PARIS (AP) -- Didier Deschamps is the new coach of France's troubled national soccer team.
The French Football Federation announced the appointment on its Web site Sunday after Laurent Blanc turned down a new contract offer last month.
Deschamps quit as Marseille coach a week ago despite leading the French club to a league title and a record three straight League Cups.
As a player, Deschamps captained France to victory at the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. He also won the Champions League with Marseille in 1993 and Juventus in '96.
France went on a 23-match unbeaten run under Blanc and reached the quarterfinals at the European Championship, restoring some pride in a team that was knocked out in the first round of the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 Euros under former coach Raymond Domenech.
But Blanc could not prevent his players from again being questioned about their behavior, and Deschamps' main task will be to instill more discipline on and off the field.
Blanc started rebuilding the France team with relative success after players at the last World Cup shocked fans back home by going on strike during training to protest Nicolas Anelka's exclusion from the squad for insulting Domenech. Anelka was suspended for 18 matches while Patrice Evra, Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan received shorter bans.
Now, Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa, Yann M'Vila and Jeremy Menez face a disciplinary commission July 27 for their actions at this year's Euros in Ukraine.
Deschamps will have only an exhibition game against Uruguay next month to prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. In Group I, France will face Finland and Belarus in September and European champion Spain in October.
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07-05-2012
Zidane was tipped for France job
The French Football Federation reportedly see Zinedine Zidane as strong a candidate for the role of national team coach as Didier Deschamps.
According to L'Equipe, while Real Madrid's sporting director has no previous coaching experience, the France legend is viewed as a viable replacement for Laurent Blanc, who stepped down following the country's disappointing Euro 2012 campaign.
Deschamps was immediately installed as the favourite to succeed Blanc following his former international team-mate's resignation on June 30.
The odds on him being France's next boss only shortened after he parted company with Marseille two days later.
However, Zidane has said he would like to coach his country one day.
"I want to start preparing to take the title of coach," Zidane told Le Journal de Saone-et-Loire late last month. "The playing field is what I know best.
"I have lived 20 years of special moments and I want to convey and share my experience with others."It was a declaration that was warmly received by FFF president Noel Le
Graet, who is now giving serious thought to turning to the man who
inspired France to World Cup glory in 1998.
Speaking to reporters after Zidane's comments, Le Graet said: "I find it very charming that he has expressed a desire to be close to France's team.
"He dreams of coaching France within a decade. It is very gratifying."
Zidane, Deschamps and Blanc were also a part of the side that won Euro 2000.