Deschamps enjoying every moment of long France goodbye
Didier Deschamps will step away from the France job in 2026, but with the World Cup still to come, he plans on making more memories.
Didier Deschamps is relishing his remaining moments as France head coach, as he approaches the final few months of his long reign.
Deschamps will leave his role, which he took in 2012, after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. Les Bleus are yet to confirm their spot at next year's tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, though the 2018 victors will do so if they beat Ukraine at the Parc des Princes on Thursday.
France are three points clear of Ukraine at the top of Group D in UEFA's World Cup qualifiers and six points above third-placed Iceland, while Azerbaijan only have a single point at the bottom.
Deschamps has won 110 of his 173 games in charge of France (63.6%), overseeing almost 100 more games than any other manager in Les Bleus' history (Ramond Domenech is second with 79).
France will also face Azerbaijan in Baku on Sunday, before entering their final year under Deschamps.
"The most important thing is what happens tomorrow," he said. "The accumulation of successive qualifications is a very good thing because it is our duty as a France team.
"It helps to have this experience, but it's never the same story. I don't have that in mind, I don't think about it.
"We have this match, at the Parc des Princes, against Ukraine. We are in 2025 and our goal is to qualify again. I'm here, I'm having fun.
"You have to appreciate every moment, especially when the preparations for matches like this are decisive.
"It's about managing the present moment and, above all, enjoying it. I've never really looked in the rearview mirror."
Deschamps has recalled Rayan Cherki ahead of this month's matches, with the creative midfielder's only two previous caps coming in the Nations League in June, before joining Manchester City.
Captain Kylian Mbappe believes Cherki – who has four goals and four assists in 13 appearances for City – can bring something different to France's squad.
He said: "Cherki is a special talent. He has a gift that he is exploiting, this innate and very spectacular talent.
"He has integrated very well into the group, just as he integrated very well at Manchester City, which is not easy.
"We can see that he has already created a special connection with his number nine [Erling Haaland]."
