Deschamps Named New France Coach

France’s World Cup and Euro winning captain Didier Deschamps was named coach of the national side on Sunday, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on its website.

The 43-year-old – who captained France to the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 trophies – replaces fellow World Cup and Euro winning team-mate Laurent Blanc, who turned down a new two year contract last weekend.

Blanc had guided the French to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals – the minimum requirement of the FFF – but dressing room discord and two outbursts by Samir Nasri had not helped Blanc’s cause.

Deschamps immediately became the favourite and lent credence to the fact by quitting Marseille last Monday.

“Noel Le Graet, President of the FFF, and Didier Deschamps reached agreement after the conclusion of their talks for him to be named France coach,” read the statement.

Both men are to hold a joint press conference on Monday at the federation headquarters at 1530 GMT.

Culled from PUNCH
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/07/deschamps-named-new-france-coach/