Deschamps’ France contract extended to 2022 World Cup

Ag AFP

PARIS: Didier Deschamps’ contract as coach of world champions France has been extended through to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the French football federation announced on Tuesday.

Deschamps, a former France skipper who led the team to 1998 World Cup glory, has been at the coaching helm of Les Bleus since summer 2012.

“I’m very happy, very proud to continue the adventure (until the 2022 World Cup), even if our next goal is Euro 2020,” said Deschamps. Federation president Noel Le Graet had previously said that a contract extension for the 51-year-old was dependent on France qualifying for the 2020 European championships.

Deschamps duly guided France into the competition, where they have been drawn alongside 2014 world champions Germany, reigning European champions Portugal and one more team still to qualify through the play-offs.

He will shortly become the longest-serving France coach, overtaking the eight years and six months of service by Michel Hidalgo between January 1976-June 1984.