Didier Deschamps regains public favour with style and humility before his exit | OneFootball

After a flat Euro 2024 and doubts over his future, Didier Deschamps has largely won back France at this World Cup, helped by brighter football and a humble squad.

According to L'Équipe, only 58% of football fans wanted him to stay the day after the 1-2 Euro semi-final loss to Spain, down from 78% before the tournament. In September 2024 he was booed in Paris during France-Italy 1-3 and before France-Belgium 2-0, with some calling for Zinédine Zidane.

Two years on, with France to meet Spain on Tuesday at 21:00, his tenure is ticking towards a planned end. He announced in January 2025 that he would step down after this World Cup. Favourability hit 83% after that news, slipped to 71% in June, then rose with a stylish campaign in the United States.

Performances, improved style and visible humility underpin the shift. Image agent Frank Hocquemiller says it now feels as if France have everything, including results, recognition and the panache of four forwards.

Deschamps also handled two delicate calls, giving Kylian Mbappé the armband ahead of Antoine Griezmann, then Griezmann’s exit. Mbappé’s World Cup and his readiness to share responsibility with Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Michael Olise are seen as vindication.

Supporters’ leader Yannick Vanhée believes he departs on a high after 14 years, opening the team to fans, changing mentalities and recalling Karim Benzema, with no crisis despite two missed Euros. Hocquemiller adds any tribute would owe more to results than communication.

Source: L'Équipe