France head coach Didier Deschamps has rejoined the national team in Boston after returning to France to attend his mother’s funeral, the French Football Federation confirmed on Saturday.
The 57-year-old was absent for Les Bleus’ final Group I fixture, a convincing 4-1 victory over Norway, with long-serving assistant coach Guy Stephan taking charge on the touchline.
Stephan has worked alongside Deschamps for more than 17 years, with their successful partnership beginning at Marseille between 2009 and 2012 before continuing with the French national team.
Together, the pair have overseen one of the most successful periods in French football history, guiding Les Bleus to the 2018 FIFA World Cup title while also reaching the finals of UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Their relationship extends well beyond football, with the two sharing a close personal friendship built over nearly two decades of working together.
They have also developed several long-standing routines and superstitions throughout their partnership. Since 2014, Deschamps has maintained a private pre-match ritual of shaving Stephan’s head before every game.
Away from the pitch, their routines remain equally consistent. During team meals, Stephan always sits to Deschamps’ left, while on flights and team bus journeys he occupies the seat immediately to the coach’s right.
Deschamps has now resumed full control of the national team and is expected to oversee Friday’s training session as France intensify preparations for their Round of 32 clash against Sweden in New Jersey.
Finishing top of Group I allowed Les Bleus to secure a more favourable knockout route while avoiding additional travel during the tournament.
France’s players dedicated their victory over Norway to their absent manager, with Stephan revealing after the match that the squad wanted to produce “something special” during a difficult period for Deschamps and his family.
The World Cup-winning coach received widespread support from across the football community following the death of his mother, with players, staff and supporters rallying behind him throughout his brief absence.
His return provides both an emotional lift and a tactical boost as France begin the knockout phase, with Les Bleus widely regarded among the leading contenders to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy.
