France boss Didier Deschamps leaves World Cup to fly residence after household tragedy
France will be without their manager for their final group stage match with Norway after Didier Deschamps has flown home following a family tragedy
Didier Deschamps has flown home(Image: Getty Images)
Didier Deschamps has left the World Cup, and will miss France’s clash with Norway, after a family tragedy. France’s assistant coach, Guy Stephan, will take the reins in Deschamps’ absence, as he will fly home for her funeral.
Having already secured victories in their first two group stage matches against Iraq and Senegal, they have guaranteed their place in the knockout stages, along with their forthcoming opponents.
Friday’s encounter will decide who finishes top of Group I. However, Deschamps will not be present in Boston as the group stage draws to a close.
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The French Football Federation confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday: “Didier Deschamps will not be able to oversee training sessions ahead of the Norway v France match. He will also be absent from the bench for Friday’s final Group I game.
“The national team coach learned this morning of the death of his mother and will return to France to attend her funeral.
“In agreement with Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, who is currently at the France team’s base camp, Deschamps has entrusted assistant coach Guy Stephan with responsibility for leading the squad until his return.”
Stephan has been Deschamps’ right-hand man for the past 17 years, initially at Marseille before joining him with the national team. He also served as an assistant under Roger Lemerre when France triumphed in Euro 2000 and the Confederations Cup the following year.
After departing France following those two triumphant tournaments, Stephan assumed the role of Senegal coach post the 2002 World Cup.
He stayed there for nearly three years before being sacked from what remains his most recent head coaching position.
