Julien Laurens commends Didier Deschamps as the ‘top manager’ for his ‘determination to secure major titles’ with the French national team.

Julien Laurens, a renowned sports journalist, has hailed Didier Deschamps as the greatest manager in the history of the French national team. As France prepares for UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany this summer, Laurens believes that Deschamps’ achievements, including winning the World Cup as both a player and a manager, set him apart from his predecessors.

Deschamps, who captained Les Bleus to victory in 1998 and then guided them to another World Cup triumph in 2018, has faced criticism for his defensive style of play. However, Laurens argues that Deschamps’ track record speaks for itself, with a UEFA Nations League title and appearances in the finals of the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2016.

Laurens acknowledges that there were disappointments along the way, particularly at Euro 2020, where France were eliminated by Switzerland in a penalty shootout. He believes that Deschamps made a mistake by taking a step back and assuming that the squad could manage itself. However, Laurens praises Deschamps for rectifying this at the 2022 World Cup, where France performed exceptionally well until their defeat in the final against Argentina.

The journalist also addresses the criticism of Deschamps’ defensive approach, noting that the manager himself acknowledges his conservative style of play. Deschamps believes in a solid defense, as demonstrated by France’s success in 1998. However, Laurens points out that with attacking talents like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Kingsley Coman, and Antoine Griezmann, it can be frustrating to see the team play on the back foot.

Despite the criticism, Laurens commends Deschamps for his excellent communication skills and ability to handle the media. He acknowledges that while he personally believes France could have played better football under Deschamps, the manager’s focus on results and winning major trophies cannot be denied.

As France prepares for Euro 2024, Deschamps will face scrutiny once again. If he fails to deliver, the critics will undoubtedly be out in full force. However, Laurens concludes that Deschamps has already proven himself as a successful manager, regardless of the style of play.