Spanish inquisition: France boss Deschamps on the rack after exit at Euro 2024
France head coach Didier Deschamps was under pressure on Wednesday to quit after his side's 2-1 loss to Spain in the semi-finals at the European championships in Germany.
Deschamps' men took the lead in the ninth minute at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Tuesday night but were pegged back midway through the first-half after 16-year-old Lamine Yamal's sumptuous strike into the top left hand corner.
Dani Olmo added Spain's second shortly afterwards.
And though France enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the second-half, they spurned several chances to draw level.
During a post-match press conference, 55-year-old Deschamps slapped down questions over his future.
"You're a piece of work," he told one reporter. "Ask my federation chief that question. I just lost a semi-final, do you think I'm already thinking about that? I respect you and ask that you also respect those who have responsibilities."
But Daniel Riolo, an influential pundit, told French broadcaster RMC that the doubts would resurface over his role after more than a decade in the job.
Exit
"Deschamps hangs on. Deschamps stays," said Riolo. "Maybe at the time just after the match, asking him if he's leaving might upset him, but the question will come up tomorrow, or whenever he wants.
"The man has been here for 12 years and doesn't want to hear the question. Stop. I've had enough. Get out of here. Go and play a quiet game of padel in sunny Monaco. Get on with it."
Just before the semi-final, Philippe Diallo, Deschamps' boss at the French football federation, hailed him on French broadcaster RTL as the best coach in the team's history.
Read more on RFI English
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