France chief forced to deny Deschamps rumours before England World Cup clash

The president of the French Football Federation, Noel Le Graet, has insisted that he wants current national team boss Didier Deschamps to remain in his role - even if France are dumped out of the World Cup by England at the weekend.

Deschamps, 54, has been at the helm for over a decade and became just the third man in history to win a World Cup as both a player and a manager after guiding France to glory back in 2018.

France cantered into the last eight of the current tournament to book a date with England, but speculation linking French icon Zinedine Zidane with Deschamps' role has persisted.

Le Graet has now spoken out on the speculation and claimed that he has no desire to replace Deschamps at the helm; regardless of whether or not France are able to retain their world crown in Qatar over the coming weeks.

Le Graet is quoted by French newspaper Le Figaro, via Globo, as saying: "When you're lucky enough to have a Didier Deschamps, you don't knock next door, as long as you're in the same place.

"You insist, so I'll be honest: my wish is that Didier stays. Who do you want to find better? The speaker is the president, not the friend. Will he want to continue? What problems can arise? Even being at a high level, the smallest defeat brings a barrage of criticism.In any case, we will spend a short day at Guingamp and we will discuss."

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Le Graet has previously outlined that France's aim for the current tournament was to reach the semi-finals. He did, however, make it clear that the final decision over Deschamps' future will rest with the man himself.

"He goes to my office and it's up to him to decide whether to stay or not," Le Graet added. "It is an exposed position, difficult, under a lot of pressure. He is made for this role and I think he prefers the national team to a club."

Deschamps' current contract with the French Football Federation is due to expire at the end of this year, but the ex-midfield maestro has been coy over his future.

Zidane, 50, has been out of work since May 2021 after cutting his second spell at Real Madrid short. The French icon has been linked with numerous high-profile roles since - including previous vacancies at Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain - but has yet to return to management - sparking speculation that he could be biding his time to take succeed Deschamps.

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