Didier Deschamps' final match: How legendary France managers ended their tenures
Ahead of Didier Deschamps' farewell match against England, we look back at the most memorable departures of previous France national team managers.
Après quatorze ans, Didier Deschamps disputera ce soir sa dernière avec les Bleus. (F. Faugère/ L'Équipe) Michel Hidalgo (en gris) au milieu de ses joueurs après la victoire en finale de l'Euro 1984 contre l'Espagne. (LEECH/OFFSIDE/Presse Sports) Aimé Jacquet porté en triomphe par les Bleus, en 1998. (ISOSPORT/Presse Sports) Roger Lemerre, debout et dépité, pendant l'élimination des Bleus face au Danemark à la Coupe du monde 2002. (A. de Martignac/L'Équipe) Raymond Domenech a vécu une triste fin à la tête des Bleus en 2010. (B. Papon/L'Équipe) Gérard Houllier était sélectionneur des Bleus lors de la défaite traumatisante contre la Bulgarie (1-2) en 1993. (A. Landrain/L'Équipe) Henri Michel (à gauche) pendant Chypre-France, le 23 octobre 1988. (A. Lecoq/L'Équipe)
A massive chapter is coming to a close. After fourteen years at the helm of the French national team, Didier Deschamps will take charge of his final match this Saturday evening against England. This milestone offers an opportunity to look back at the exits of previous France managers, ranging from glorious triumphs to painful disappointments.
Michel Hidalgo’s departure in 1984 remains perhaps the most foundational exit. After the heartbreak of the 1982 World Cup, he led the team to their first-ever international trophy at Euro 1984, leaving the bench at the pinnacle of his success. Aimé Jacquet followed a similar path in 1998, stepping down after delivering France’s first World Cup title on home soil, cementing his place in history.
However, the history books also contain darker chapters. Roger Lemerre, despite winning Euro 2000, saw his tenure end after a disastrous 2002 World Cup group-stage exit without a single goal scored. Even more notorious was Raymond Domenech’s departure in 2010, marred by the team's internal collapse during the Knysna scandal and an early tournament exit.
Gérard Houllier’s exit in 1993 remains one of the most painful, as his team failed to qualify for the World Cup following a last-minute defeat to Bulgaria. Similarly, Henri Michel’s departure in 1988 came after a poor start to the World Cup qualification campaign. As Deschamps prepares for his final dance, the football world reflects on the legacy he leaves behind after over a decade of service.