Deschamps ahead of semifinal against Spain: A coach departs, the team remains

The coach before the final big stage

France's fans are eagerly anticipating the duel with the European champions of Spain, which many consider a premature final of this tournament. For Les Bleus, it would be the third consecutive reaching of a World Cup final, and for the coach, the provisional pinnacle of a tenure that ends in the summer. Even before the French team's first appearance in North America, Mbappé had announced his intention to give Deschamps "the greatest World Cup of all time" as a farewell gift.

Before kickoff, the coach found clearly appreciative words for his captain. "I am proud to have this team," said Deschamps, adding that the players wearing France's jersey had an obligation to the fans and to the people back home. "Everyone fights for the group," said Deschamps. Captain Mbappé, with his demeanor on and off the pitch, was a true "role model" – on and off the pitch.

Personal pain, human gestures

The summer had begun heavily for Deschamps on a personal level. During the group stage, his mother had passed away; the coach had returned to France for the funeral before rejoining the squad. Mbappé showed great empathy during his goal celebration and expressed words of condolence to his coach – a gesture that generated considerable sympathy in France.

Praise from Klopp and Hummels

Not only because of these human moments is the 57-year-old considered the architect of a collective that has impressed leading football minds. Jürgen Klopp, who is covering the tournament as a TV pundit, drew a comparison using the Bayern dribbler Michael Olise: "If you toss the ball to Olise, he takes it and gives it back to you four weeks later." Under Deschamps, that is definitely not the case. "They don't do that on their own," explained Klopp, referring to the strong interplay of France's attacking stars and their willingness to also work defensively. "Someone must have told these players to do that."

Mats Hummels, serving as a TV pundit at MagentaTV, was similarly impressed: "He knows how to lead teams," said the former German international. Klopp and Hummels alike pointed to a coach who bears the nickname "the General" in France – commitment, discipline, but also heart and camaraderie are his hallmarks.

This togetherness was reflected in the tournament's progression. After a patient opening against Senegal (3-1) and a convincing display against Iraq (3-0), the team showcased champagne football in the round of 16 against Sweden (3-0), with Mbappé and Olise outstanding. The round of 16 against Paraguay, which Deschamps' team won 1-0, also required discipline: with a cool head, refusing to be provoked, and admirably patient, the team overcame the overly physical Paraguayans. Relief was followed by a gesture that went viral: after the heated victory, Deschamps stuck out his tongue in relief.

From the Paraguay drama to the Morocco victory

The path to the semifinal thus far underscores the balance between control and further playing development. It speaks well of Deschamps that, given his formidable squad, he also initiated a playing evolution of his eleven. After the quarterfinal, in which France defeated Morocco and Mbappé hugged winger Désiré Doué, attention turned to the duel with Spain on Tuesday.

Against the Spanish team, which entered the tournament as reigning European champion, France goes into the match as a two-time world champion (1998, 2018). Meanwhile, the current squad has nothing in common with the French ensemble that clashed with former coach Raymond Domenech at the 2010 World Cup, staged a training strike, and read out a statement to the press – only to become a laughingstock. Instead, over 14 years, Deschamps has step by step molded a team according to his vision: defensively solid, patient in build-up play, and ice-cold in front of goal.

Record, history, and motto

Historically, the match represents another milestone for Deschamps. He has been France's national coach since 2012 and currently shares the record for the most World Cup matches as head coach with Helmut Schön. Starting Tuesday, he will hold that record outright. Only Vittorio Pozzo has previously won two World Cup titles as a coach (1934 and 1938 with Italy); alongside Deschamps, only Franz Beckenbauer and Mario Zagallo have won the World Cup both as players and as head coaches.

For Deschamps himself, the motto remains clear. His credo: "The game itself doesn't interest him all that much – only winning." At the same time, he emphasized what matters to the 57-year-old: human closeness and togetherness. The players, he explained, have an obligation to the fans and to the people back home. His emotions – whether the relief after the Paraguay match or the grief over his mother – have impressively reflected what matters to the coach.

A memorable date: July 14

France can additionally count on a symbolic day on Tuesday: on July 14, the day of the semifinal, the Republic celebrates its national holiday, Bastille Day. A victory over Spain would be the biggest step yet toward a third consecutive World Cup final appearance – and a fitting farewell for a coach who has shaped his team over 14 years. The final is scheduled for Sunday in East Rutherford.

There is also great anticipation over who will succeed Deschamps after the tournament. According to reports, Zinedine Zidane is said to be ready to take over as coach of Les Bleus. Until then, however, the focus is on the duel with Spain, which is meant to provide the next proof that under the General from France, the sum total is greater than that of brilliant individual stars.