Euro 2024: “I'm not here to make people laugh”, Didier Deschamps opens up before his third Euro as coach

Didier Deschamps s'est confié à quelques jours de l'Euro. – MAXPPP

Ten days before the entry into contention of the French team in the Euro in Germany, on June 17 against Austria, the coach of the Blues is looking forward to the match. is confided at length to the regional daily press, this Friday April 7 in Clairefontaine. The form of his troops, the new leadership, Kylian Mbappé or Olivier Giroud through his culture of winning and playing: “DD” appeared in great form, without forgetting to distill a few humorous lines or barbs. The Euro is launched.

The team

We could see this Friday morning during the photo that the atmosphere is very good in the group. You yourself were in a very good mood. Does that mean that all the lights are green, that there is less annoyance than before Qatar, where there was no preparation and no visibility with the wounded ?

Everything is fine. It’s not because you were there that we forced ourselves to smile. Every situation is different. In Qatar, preparation was very limited. And I'm not even comparing with 2014 where we had 28 days… But hey, before Qatar, we were calm too. There were questions about certain players. There may also be some today.

That’s not going to take away the good mood. Afterwards, you know better than me the debates which can animate the daily life of the group. It's not about saying "Everything is rosy, everything is fine, everything is great ".< /p>

The fewer annoyances there are in the media environment…hellip; I do not speak for myself, because it has no impact or importance on me. But we do everything to put ourselves in the best conditions. And the 20 who arrived at the start of the gathering, set the pace with this first phase until Sunday, where there were busy days, with double sessions, athletics and re-oxygenation work.

What form is the team in overall, do you feel it gaining strength ? Will everyone be ready for Austria on June 17?

We make sure. Each player has a very different situation. Even if some were able to play, as a precaution some were also able to skip the last day. If it’s the last day of L1, it goes back before those of Italy and Spain… There are disparities. We haven't individualized the preparations, but the objective is to get everyone ready for the first match.

Taking into account that there is the history of the entire season and the photo of the last month of each player. It’s not the same at all. You've been talking about fitness since March.

Fitness, physical appearance, is a new concern ?

Freshness above all. When there are injuries yes. Because there is a healing time. With all the elements at my disposal, the support of the medical staff. It’s possible, it’s not possible…

In any big competition, the freshness part is something important. We are reaching the end of the season, all the players are more or less tired. And it’s not just physical fatigue. This one can be quantified. It’s psychological fatigue also for different reasons, with the sequence which leads to consuming a lot of energy.

There are at least seven other nations which have the legitimate ambition to be able to think and imagine themselves champions of Europe

We find ourselves in a situation where many players arrive in the French team to be happier there because at club it's complicated  ? Kylian Mbappé or Randal Kolo Muani for example ?

You are still not going to compare the situation of Randal over the last two months and Kylian. These are not the same concerns. If they have a smile it is because they also know that others could have been there in their place. But it also happens during the season that players, and not the least important ones, are in difficulty at the club, less well themselves or their team.

Over a season, it happens to everyone, that they can go from starter to substitute. But here, even if nothing is set in stone, the framework is different. Because of what the French team represents for them, what is behind us, they all consider it a privilege to return to the castle.

The failure of Euro 2021

Three years after the failure of Euro 2021 (elimination in the round of 16 against Switzerland, 3-3 tab 5-4), is there a form of revenge? Does it stick in your throat and could that be a motivation?

No, three years at the international level… Obviously those who were there remember it. But we have done other things since then. The only motivation is to do everything to get to the end. But it’s not just the French team that has this objective. There are at least seven other nations which have the legitimate ambition of being able to think and imagine themselves as European champions. Because of the density and quality of the teams in this European Championship. Experiences serve, whether collectively or individually.

The high level is merciless

What lesson did you learn from this experience ?

It confirmed to me what I already knew, which is that in sport and football in particular, victory has this ability to erase everything. And when there is a poor performance, then there is an ability to stand out or say things… It’s a conflagration. So that when we win… I still often had the opportunity to find myself in this situation, everything is beautiful, everything is rosy.

This is, however, far from being the case. But that’s how it is, so we have to put things into perspective. It should also be remembered that in 2021, it was a very particular context. We were in a world of restrictions (due to Covid-19, Editor's note), also linked to difficult situations.

In the second match, we experienced scorching temperatures. We left a lot of energy. And in this very difficult group, we had to go for the third match (against Portugal). This is not to be justified. But there is an accumulation of things in a very particular context. And I still remind you that in the 80th minute against Switzerland (3-1 at this moment) everything is fine…

When you are captain, vice-captain, you don’t only commit yourself, you engage the collective.

It confirms what I also knew, the high level is merciless. And everything changes quickly. You have to accept it even if it hurts at the time. Afterwards you have to leave and bounce back. Obviously the final feeling is a lot of disappointment and bitterness, whatever you want. But it’s behind.

It’s a life experience that we nourish ourselves with and from which everyone will keep what they want. And I am here with always the same objective, to go as far as possible. Stay as high as possible.

Leadership

Kylian Mbappé has been your captain for a year. Did he take on the costume ? How is his captaincy different from that of Hugo Lloris ?

I'm not going to compare to Hugo. He was already a goalkeeper and they are two totally different characters. Kylian took over, listened, saw and did it by being himself. He fully assumes this role. There's what you can see outside, on the ground.

But we also spend a lot more time internally, with discussions, different situations, requests and that suits him very well. He is not alone, Antoine (Griezmann) is with him, who also has more experience and responsibility than a year ago. And then there are other players as well who serve as relays.

When you are captain, vice-captain, you don't only engage yourself, you engage the collective. But it's going very well.

Between Hugo Lloris and Kylian Mbappé, there are still different personalities. Does this feel internally ?

Yes but because they are different. Some leadership is more or less expressive. There is the "example" side too. There is mental, physical, technical leadership, those are the three areas. A player can have all three.

And how much does Mbappé have?

He has everything. But it’s distributed. It’s not just him, it’s him with the others and the others in a notion of a group. But obviously Kylian and Antoine are the first to be concerned in all the discussions. All subjects can be discussed.

Which other players can you rely on since there is a transition in this group compared to the last competition?< /p>

There's no need for fifty either. Everything depends. Others are also speaking, have already spoken, like Mike (Maignan), Olivier (Giroud). Anytime. It's not “you're talking, you're not”. When things go in the direction of the collective, they cannot all speak at the same time, and they are not necessarily incumbents.

If we have the ball, it doesn't matter. But the periods when we don't have it, we have to be efficient, maintain a certain solidity too

But I take the example of Steve Mandanda who had to speak at times in very specific situations. There are also those who speak less or not but through what they do on the ground are driving forces.

Mike Maignan exudes discretion off the field. But how does his leadership translate??

Outside he has his life but on the pitch, he is a competitor. He is an expressive goalkeeper during the match but also before and after. When he has something to say, he says it. He imposes. But Hugo also did it occasionally, perhaps not with the same words or the same way of expressing himself. He was a reserved person but he had an important place.

Kylian Mbappé

We discussed Mbappé's positioning in the group. The one on the pitch at PSG has been the subject of much debate this season…

But keep the debate going.

In the French team, your philosophy is to build around him, that he is free, that he does less ;defensive efforts ?

It's a bit reductive. But yes, for each player it's about making sure to put him in the best conditions. Especially him who is supposed to be the most decisive of all. It's not about relieving him. When we don't have the ball, everyone is concerned. When we don't have it, there's no problem.

We have to make sure to have a balance, this is valid for all the offensive players and him too. But the fresher and closer he is to the opponent's penalty area, the better it is for us. It should be less good for the opponent (smile).

When you have such talent, you build around it, you look for the best pairs, etc.? Is the construction done in this way ?

It can be done like this, yes.

Is it done like this ?

She can yes (laughs). I think a lot, very often (laughs). But of course, these are exchanges with him, the others. It can lead to certain adjustments, it all depends on whether we have the ball or not.

We imagine that the teammates also know his talent with the ball at his feet, they may have less to do…

But no one balks. We have to make compensations at times. If we have the ball, it doesn't matter. But the periods when we don't have it, we have to be efficient, keep a certain solidity too. We mustn't let one go against the other. It's part of a global reflection.

Mbappé spoke of liberation when he announced his signing for Real…

Oh I don't know. He said “it took a weight off me”…

A weight ? He said it like that ?

These are your words. At least it's made official, even if everyone knew it. This is not an announcement in itself. I was asked the question: "So internally ?"

He (Giroud) is the youngest, I'm not going to say the oldest

What do you want to change?? Everyone knew it. It’s just for outside, wait until it’s official. It is. The first day, when he arrived (at Clairefontaine), he knew his objective very well. Players may have this situation to manage, it has happened before with others.

Olivier  Giroud

Olivier Giroud is coming off a good season with AC Milan…

This is your analysis, not that I don't share it…

Olivier Giroud announced that he would compete in his last international competition. What role will he have??

This question is to find out if he is going to play. Honestly, they can all play and I won't be able to make them all play. But through his life and experience, he knows what goes in the direction of the collective, on and off the field. If he is there it is also to be on the ground. He is the youngest, I am not going to say the oldest (smile), the idea is that he is in the sense of the collective.

The Euro 2024

What is the objective for this Euro? Considering the previous results, is the last four a minimum?

The first meeting is on the 17th (June, against Austria), it is not to see ourselves beyond. We know our first three opponents and we will have a response against them. Eight European teams are in the top 10 of the Fifa rankings and can legitimately aspire to go all the way up there.

On the potential, considering what we have achieved, we can be among the favourites. But to see ourselves there already would be the worst thing and that is not the case.

Do you think Austria is underestimated??

A lot, yes, a lot. I look in detail at what they have done, including recently, and no one talks about it. It’s solid, like the Netherlands. In our last two confrontations, they were missing five starters.

We have a very dense group. Before thinking about the second phase, we must focus on the first.

We must not settle into comfort

Even since this Euro no longer has 16 but 24 teams, it remains very dense according to you ?

Even if the Fifa ranking only presents one photograph, it remains very dense and the differences are minimal. It is sometimes played in a friendly match to determine a position. These are teams that are at the top European and world level. And there may be some surprises.

The Euro is the only trophy you are missing as a coach. Does this tickle your fancy??

It’s my ambition and I’m here for it. I'm not here to make people laugh or show presence. We could have experienced this happiness in 2016. It’s a common goal but it’s not my goal above all else. What interests me is this Euro. I want to do everything with the people around me to go as far as possible.

The coach

From 2014, the date of your first competition at the head of the Blues with the World Cup in Brazil, to 2024, has the coach remained the same ? What have you changed?

Already, I never look back, I know what I did. We must not settle into comfort, we must maintain the same standards, maintain the ability to adapt.

What we have experienced can lead us, the next time, to be able to do differently. I don't modify things to change them, but to move forward. Situations may be similar, but the context may be different. Experience must allow us to evolve.

Do you have examples of things that you no longer do There are so many…

I work like that, I don't look behind me, I don't have time. It can happen occasionally, not with them, when I'm at home. I can see very old images, but it's not in my brain because I'm in reality. Unfortunately, you do not have all the elements available to us.

I never had any pressure

I do not interfere in the daily life of the clubs. When a coach has requests from a player, even if it doesn't seem rational to me, I tell him to respond to the request. The data is no longer that of 2014. What has been achieved generates status and creates greater expectations. Today, those who are there can all legitimately claim to be holders.

Has your relationship with the clubs evolved over the past ten years ?

I am more understanding. Quite simply because my interests are not those of the clubs. I can have discussions. A little more at the start, and then I realized that I didn't have all the elements. I forbid myself from analyzing what this or that club, or this or that coach, is doing. If they could do the same thing in return, that wouldn't be bad (smile).

Well, when we end a gathering with a match on Tuesday evening and players are involved in a club match on Friday, I receive a little message saying &quot ;if you can make it less busy." It might happen that you ask for an elevator return. I had to do this very recently.

You have been in office for twelve years. How to avoid being left behind in the face of new generations and the age gap that is increasing with players ?

We're hanging in there! And I adapt. I am not disconnected. I have different interests. We laugh about it with the staff. We don’t have the same benchmarks or the same references. I am going to give you an example. In training, they wear something over their t-shirt. What do you call that, you ? A tracksuit. For them, you know what a sweater is! (laughs) When they have to sing for the first selection, I see that musical tastes have evolved (smile).

Above all, don't talk to me about an encouraging defeat

It's also very good to adapt. I've known coaches who gave 30-45 minute talks. I'm not going to have fun doing that because I know that there is a ten-minute autonomy. We must not only see the negative. We can take it as arrogance or a lack of humility, but they want everything, right away. And they often have everything, right away. I never talk to them about my first life. Because it's their life.

You have been renewed until 2026. Does that take some pressure off you??

I have never had any pressure. Since my first competition in 2014 and apart from the last World Cup in Doha, I have always started the big tournaments with a two-year contract behind me.

Does this reassure you, then, in relation to the group and the environment around the Blues ?

I don't need to be reassured and it has no influence on me. I am not going to say that the situation in 2014 is the same given everything that has happened since.

In 2014 and 2016, it had a little more weight but honestly, today, that doesn't change anything. I focus on the competition and keep myself informed of what is said afterwards. It’s quite funny, in fact, I laugh about it a lot.

There is often debate between the way of playing and the result. When you are a coach, do you necessarily have to start from the principle that the result is above all??

This is life for all coaches. Whether there is a victory or a defeat, it is not the same thing. Above all, do not talk to me about an encouraging defeat. A defeat is a defeat. At the time, we can say “they played well”, “they deserved it”. But, at the end, what do we remember? ? That it is lost. This does not mean that we should give up the rest.

When you start winning, you are inhabited by this culture

The better the content, the more likely we are to win. Some people may think that, for me, only the result counts, but it is obvious. Because the job requires it. You have already seen coaches who do not win and who are praised because their team plays well ?

After 12 years at the head of the Blues, do you ever think about the legacy or the image that you will leave the day you leave your post?

No, I'm not here for that. One day, maybe, but it’s not a driving force. I'm here to participate, to win titles.

And making history is really not something that motivates you?

In my first life (as a pro player), I was able to find what I needed to win. And when we start to win, we are inhabited by this culture. Afterwards, as for the trace we leave… hellip; In everyday life, I sometimes come across people who say to me "you're cool, nice".

The image they have of me may be different from the one I broadcast through the media but I am judged by my results. It’s today that counts, not tomorrow.

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