FOOTBALL – DIDIER Deschamps took responsibility for France’s “unacceptable” first-half collapse in a 6-4 defeat by England on Saturday as his extraordinary 14-year reign as national team coach ended in painful fashion.
France trailed 4-0 at halftime in the World Cup third-place playoff before mounting a spirited recovery, but their late rally was not enough to prevent Deschamps’ 185th and final match in charge from ending in a loss.
“It is a defeat, but we were 4-0 down. We produced an unacceptable first half,” Deschamps told reporters.
“There was a reaction, with the things we know how to do well. We had two chances to make it 4-4, but we pushed forward a little more.
“That is what we know how to do, but we didn’t do it. It is my fault because I must not have done what was needed in the first half.”
Deschamps said the performance after the break at least restored pride, though he admitted the sporting disappointment of France’s tournament remained considerable after they had arrived in North America bidding to win a third world title.
“It would have been better to finish third,” he said. “We came here with a lot of ambition. We managed to do quite a few positive things.
“We failed in our match against Spain and they knew how to perform against us. This is a group with footballing quality. There was enough talent to get results,” Deschamps added. “On a human level, it was a beautiful adventure. Eight weeks, it was beautiful.”
France’s 2-0 semi-final defeat by Spain ended their hopes of reaching a third successive World Cup final before England inflicted another setback on the coach who had turned Les Bleus into one of world football’s dominant forces.
“The disappointment is there on a sporting level,” Deschamps said. “We had the opportunity to create emotions for tens of millions of French people. It is the World Cup, there is nothing more beautiful.”
The French Football Federation paid a glowing tribute to Deschamps, who leaves after 185 matches and 120 victories in charge.
“Didier Deschamps embodied high standards, rigour, a sense of the collective and love for the blue shirt,” the FFF said in a statement. “Under his leadership, for 14 years, the France team regained credibility, respect and affection while remaining at the highest level in the world.”
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