French Football Federation eager to keep Didier Deschamps
Wednesday 2 March 2016 12:25, UK
The French Football Federation are hopeful Didier Deschamps will remain as head coach beyond this summer's European Championship on home soil.
President Noel Le Graet wants to keep the 1998 World Cup final winning skipper after leading led Les Bleus to the quarter-finals of the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
The former defensive midfielder has enhanced his reputation with his handling of the blackmail case involving national team players Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena as well as the aftermath of November's terrorist attacks in Paris.
He is currently under contract until 2018 but speculation has linked him with several clubs around Europe - including reigning Premier League champions Chelsea, for whom he played in the 1999-2000 season.
Speaking to L'Equipe, Le Graet joked: "I have talked to him about it and he doesn't know how to spell Chelsea!
"More seriously, I extended his contract to avoid speculation on his future ahead of the competition.
"Afterwards, it will be his choice. I hope he stays until 2018, and even beyond.
"He has a contract. We will not throw him out of the window. I would like him to lead us at a second World Cup."
Le Graet even tipped Deschamps as his own possible successor, claiming: "He has the qualities to be president one day."
The 47-year-old won 103 caps for his country as a player and was part of the triumphant squads in '98 - on home soil, like this summer's tournament - and Euro 2000.
He won Ligue 1 twice with Marseille and the Italian Scudetto three times with Juventus and the Champions League with Marseille in 1993 and Juventus in 1996.
