PARIS (AFP)
Former France captain Didier Deschamps is set to become the
national team's new manager after agreeing terms with the French
Football Federation (FFT), press reports said Sunday.
L'Equipe sports daily and French radio reported that Deschamps
would be handed a two year contract with an extra two years
should France qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.
Talks between Deschamps and FFT officials started after Laurent
Blanc's decision to step down from the post following two years
in charge after being unable to reach an agreement with FFF
president Noel Le Graet on a new contract .
Deschamps became increasingly linked as a candidate to fill the
vacancy after quitting his position as coach of Marseille last
Monday.
The 43-year-old -- who captained France to the 1998 World Cup and
Euro 2000 titles -- had asked Marseille to be released from his
post on May 23, though he still had two years left on his
contract.
His initial request to leave had nothing to do with the France
post as Blanc was still in charge, but following Blanc's
departure he quickly became the bookies favourite to take over
Les Bleus.
Le Graet then hinted during a press conference on Tuesday that
Deschamps was his preferred choice to take over the reins, 24
hours after he had stepped down from the Stade Velodrome hotseat.
Should the FFF appoint Deschamps, his first match would come
against Copa America champions Uruguay on August 15 at Le Havre.
France then start their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign on
September 7 against Finland in a group that also contains
defending champions Spain.
Blanc stepped down after guiding France to the Euro 2012
quarter-finals where they lost to eventual winners Spain.
