In their account of Didier Deschamps’ extension as France manager for another four years, L’Équipe reveal that FFF president Noël Le Graët managed the renewal alone, without telling the organisation’s executive committee.
The executive committee had met on Friday evening, with the head of French football not discussing the issue – on leaving the meeting, though, he went to see the double World Cup winner and his assistant Guy Stéphan to finalise their renewals and ready an announcement for the following day.
The pair had met in Guingamp – the town where Le Graët grew his business, was president of the football club and served as mayor – in the wake of the World Cup final defeat to Argentina. The president then met with Deschamps’ agent Jean-Pierre Bernès.
Le Graët originally wanted to renew the former midfielder until the next European Championships in Germany – instead, he was convinced by Deschamps to take the new deal up until the next World Cup, in North America, and make it 14 years in charge of the French national team.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
