Deschamps to lead France at UEFA EURO 2016
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
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Didier Deschamps will lead France on home soil at UEFA EURO 2016 after success against Ukraine in the FIFA World Cup play-offs triggered an extension to his contract.
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The French Football Federation (FFF) has extended coach Didier Deschamps' contract until UEFA EURO 2016 after he steered France to the FIFA World Cup finals with a 3-2 aggregate win in their play-off against Ukraine.
The extension comes under the terms of an agreement reached when the 45-year-old replaced Laurent Blanc after UEFA EURO 2012, whereby qualification for the World Cup would earn Deschamps the right to lead France on home soil at UEFA EURO 2016. The former AS Monaco FC and Juventus boss was a winner with France at the 1998 World Cup and UEFA EURO 2000.
The 103-times international has occupied the helm for 18 games, with Les Bleus' former captain having taken charge of France in July 2012. He lifted the 2009/10 Ligue 1 title and a trio of League Cups as coach of Olympique de Marseille.
Deschamps started his playing career with FC Nantes and won the UEFA Champions League with Marseille in 1992/93, before again attaining the summit of the European game with Juventus in 1995/96. He enjoyed a successful five-year spell in Italy before stints with Chelsea FC and Valencia CF.