Guy Stéphan to lead France as Deschamps mourns, echoing 2022 Denmark absence | OneFootball

Guy Stéphan will lead France against Norway in Foxborough on Friday, with Didier Deschamps absent after the death of his mother.

According to L'Équipe, the same plan used in June 2022 applies, when Deschamps missed a Nations League opener, a 1-2 loss to Denmark, and Stéphan stepped in. The approach is being repeated in the United States, with Deschamps expected back on Saturday.

Ten from that squad are again involved: Koundé, Lucas and Theo Hernandez, Kanté, Tchouaméni and Mbappé started then, Saliba and Rabiot came on, Maignan and Digne were unused. The backroom team is unchanged.

With a tight staff, Stéphan, 69, will keep routine and lead the warm-up as he did then. He stayed in his tracksuit while Deschamps usually wears a suit, signalling his supporting role.

In 2022, after learning of his father's death on the Tuesday at Clairefontaine, Deschamps left daily duties to Stéphan until matchday. The assistant said everything had been mapped out with Deschamps and the staff would ensure continuity until his return.

France had won seven straight before defensive mistakes and injuries to Raphaël Varane and Mbappé marked that night. As Norway await, Stéphan's only solo match remains that defeat, which is not counted by the FFF in Deschamps's official record.

Source: L'Équipe