What’s Next for Didier Deschamps?

By: Laurie | January 2nd, 2008

Didier Deschamps would like you to know that he’s enjoying his current work hiatus quite a bit, ThankYouVeryMuch.

Deschamps, captain of the World Cup winning France team in 1998, has been unemployed since the end of last season. His last job was lifting Italian club Juventus back into Serie A after their match-fixing relegation in the 2006-2007 season.

The reward for his hard work? Getting unceremoniously dumped.

Technically, the story is that he “resigned” from the managerial position. But we all know what that means. It’s kind of like the girlfriend who helps a guy through that unfortunate Viagra period of his life. Once the crisis is over, it’s uncomfortable to have her around. Thanks, sweetheart, but sayonara.

But don’t cry for Didier. According to a recent interview with l’Equipe, he made the decision, post-Juventus, that unless an extremely interesting proposal were to come along, he would spend a year doing a little consulting for French TV station Canal+, having fun, and spending time with his family — his first real time off since he was sixteen.

And that’s what he’s done. But now he’s starting to think about returning to managing. First choice? Someplace in the EPL. Or maybe Spain.

“If you want to have the most freedom to act, the best country seems to be England, where the coach can decide more on signings,” Deschamps told L’Equipe. “Spain is attractive too but Italy would be difficult as I am labelled ‘Juventus’.”

And then there’s that other little dream. You know. The one called France National Team.

“It would also give me enormous pride to coach the France national team. It would be a beautiful way to come full circle after experiencing that level as a player and captain.”

(Of course, the English articles leave out the original “not in the immediate future” part. But fortunately current coach Raymond Domenech speaks French, so perhaps he won’t hire the hit squads just yet.)