The landscape of French football has experienced a new change! Just yesterday, the French Football Federation officially announced that Didier Deschamps had resigned from his position as head coach of the national team.
This legendary coach, who once led France to the pinnacle of world football, ultimately could not withstand the rumors of conflict with Kylian Mbappé.
More dramatically, it seems that Mbappé's behind-the-scenes strategy has succeeded, casting suspense over France's future and sparking heated discussions among fans: Is it the end of Deschamps' era or the beginning of Mbappé's new era?
On January 12, 2025, the French Football Federation announced through an official statement that Deschamps had resigned from his position as head coach of the French national team.
This decision was not sudden, as France had previously failed to reach the final trophy in consecutive European Championships and World Cups, with external doubts already widespread.
The internal conflicts within the French team were also magnified by the media following multiple public "confrontations" between Mbappé and Deschamps.
Since taking over as head coach of the French national team in 2012, Deschamps has led the team through countless highlights.
Undoubtedly, the most memorable moment of his coaching career was the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where France, under his command, fought its way through and eventually lifted the trophy.
However, as time passed, Deschamps' tactics came under increasing criticism for being "outdated," especially during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where France reached the final but lost disappointingly to Argentina in a penalty shootout.
In the 2024 European Championship, France again fell short in the semi-finals, losing to the eventual champions, Portugal.
These consecutive disappointments at major tournaments put Deschamps' position in jeopardy.
The French Football Federation had intended to renew Deschamps' contract, offering him more trust and time, but external pressure and internal conflicts brought everything to an abrupt halt.
Mbappé's role in this turmoil is particularly noteworthy.
From his "hat-trick" in the Qatar World Cup final to multiple interviews after the European Championship, Mbappé repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the team's tactics.
He believed that Deschamps' lineup choices and tactical arrangements limited France's offensive potential, especially in key matches, where Mbappé's voice stood out as particularly harsh.
It is widely believed that the conflict between Deschamps and Mbappé was the catalyst for this resignation.
Notably, after the 2024 European Championship, Deschamps twice excluded Mbappé from the national team training squad, directly intensifying their conflict.
In an interview, Mbappé even bluntly stated, "If Deschamps continues to coach, I will seriously consider my international career." This declaration undoubtedly pushed their relationship to an irreconcilable point.
As for Deschamps' successor, Zinedine Zidane is undoubtedly the hottest candidate.
This French football legend had been rumored to be eyeing the French team's coaching position on several occasions, but Deschamps' long-term tenure prevented Zidane from ever taking charge of the national team.
Now, Deschamps' departure has made everything clear.
Mbappé also publicly expressed support for Zidane to take over as head coach of the French team, saying he "looks forward to creating new glories together."
Is Deschamps' resignation related to outdated tactics?
From the 2022 World Cup final to the 2024 European Championship semi-final, Deschamps' tactics did indeed reveal some problems.
His overly conservative approach made France appear lacking in vitality in key matches, especially when facing attacking teams like Argentina and Portugal, where France's performance was clearly suppressed.
Data also shows that in the knockout stages of the past two major tournaments, France's average ball possession rate was less than 50%, and the goal conversion rate significantly dropped.
Mbappé's "strategy succeeding," is it a cause for joy or concern?
Mbappé's personality and talent have made him the leader of the French team, but his conflict with the coach has also raised concerns: Is a player's voice overshadowing the entire team? Deschamps' departure may allow Mbappé more freedom to perform, but it could also plunge the French team into new instability.
Can Zidane's arrival bring hope?
Zidane is undoubtedly the best choice in the hearts of French fans, and his successful coaching experience at Real Madrid fills people with expectations.
However, the coaching environment for the national team is completely different from that of a club, and how to reconcile the relationship between Mbappé and other players will be Zidane's first challenge upon taking office.
Although this is not a specific match, Deschamps' resignation still prompts a review of France's recent lineups and performances.
Here is the lineup of the French team in the 2024 European Championship semi-finals:
Starting lineup:
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
Defenders: Theo Hernandez, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde
Midfielders: N'Golo Kante, Eduardo Camavinga, Antoine Griezmann
Forwards: Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembélé
Key player performances:
Kylian Mbappé: Contributed 5 goals and 2 assists in the European Championship, remaining the core firepower of the French team.
Antoine Griezmann: As a midfield organizer, his pass success rate reached 85%, but key assists were significantly reduced.
Hugo Lloris: Made multiple crucial saves, but appeared overwhelmed against Portugal's attack in the semi-finals.
Team statistics:
France's average ball possession rate: 48%
Average number of shots per game: 13.5
Goal conversion rate: 18%
These statistics indicate that although France's overall strength remains strong, there is still significant room for improvement in tactical execution and team coordination.
"Deschamps' departure may be a turning point for the French team, but is Mbappé's power becoming too great?" Whether Zidane's arrival can solve these issues remains uncertain.
French football has never lacked for talent and stories, but this time, whether it is a return to the peak or a descent into chaos, no one dares to draw a conclusion.
After all, the success of a team is never just about one person's stage.