Coach Deschamps a world champion in getting the best out of his men
· Yahoo Sports
Time and again, France coach Didier Deschamps has been asked asked to explain the secret behind his frighteningly good team.
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Yet his emotions alone vividly reflect what matters most to the 57-year-old: human connection and unity.
Coach bows to his superstar
"I'm proud to have this team," Deschamps said ahead of Tuesday's blockbuster semi-final against Spain. The coach deliberately included everyone from players to assistants and support staff because "everyone is fighting for the group."
The way Deschamps is guiding his star-studded squad through this tournament has earned him great respect around the world. He sets the example for his players by embodying exactly what he expects from them: commitment and discipline but also heart and camaraderie.
The way he bowed to attacking star Kylian Mbappé after his dazzling round-of-32 performance against Sweden. The way he stuck out his tongue in relief after the heated round-of-16 victory over Paraguay. The way he gave winger Désiré Doué a long embrace after the quarter-final win against Morocco: these are the images that leave a lasting impression, not only on French fans.
Hummels and Klopp also impressed
"He knows how to lead teams," former German international Mats Hummels said on MagentaTV. Star coach Jürgen Klopp also praised Deschamps' communication with his players, citing Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise as an example.
"Someone must have talked to these players to get them to play like this. They don't do it on their own," Klopp said, referring to the outstanding teamwork among France's attacking players and their willingness to track back defensively, something they don't always show at club level.
Deschamps matches Schön's record
Deschamps has been France's national coach since 2012. After this World Cup, he will step down, reportedly to be succeeded by Zinédine Zidane, possibly with a third World Cup title to his name.
Deschamps captained France to the 1998 title and as a coach won it in 2018. Only Franz Beckenbauer and Mário Zagallo have achieved the same double. Only Vittorio Pozzo has won two World Cup titles as a coach: with Italy in 1934 and 1938.
These statistics alone show the elite company Deschamps is in. In the semi-final, the third in a row for Les Bleus, he will set another record.
The match against Spain, regarded by many as the tournament's true final before the final, will be Deschamps' 26th World Cup match as a coach. He currently shares the record with former West Germany coach Helmut Schön on 25. From Tuesday onward, the day France celebrates its national holiday Bastille Day, the record will be his.
Model professionals on a mission
France has always had an abundance of highly talented players. But this team bears no resemblance to the one that clashed with then coach Raymond Domenech at the 2010 World Cup and became a complete laughingstock.
Once considered impossible to coach, Les Bleus have undergone remarkable development during the Deschamps era. They are model professionals, carefully selected by their coach and united in a common mission.
The players who wear the France shirt have a responsibility to the fans and to the people back home, Deschamps has said. Captain Mbappé, with his conduct on and off the pitch, is a true "role model."
Mbappé hopes for the perfect ending
Mbappé has embodied everything his coach wants to see at this tournament: a hunger for goals, but also a team-first mentality. After Deschamps' mother died during the group stage, the Real Madrid forward showed great compassion for his coach, including during his goal celebrations.
Even before France's first match in North America, he had announced that he wanted to give Deschamps "the best World Cup of all time" as a farewell gift.
If the two-time world champions defeat European champions Spain and then go on to win the final in East Rutherford, it most certainly will be.