‘That would be ugly’ – Kylian Mbappé doesn’t want Didier Deschamps to manager another national team
Didier Deschamps is preparing for his final tournament as manager of the France national team. He announced back in January 2025 that he would step aside following the conclusion of Les Bleus’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. Zinédine Zidane is touted as his successor.
However, going into this summer’s tournament, there is also plenty of speculation regarding Deschamps’ future. He has already confirmed that he will not go into retirement following the tournament. He has left all options on the table: a hiatus, a return to club football, or even the possibility of managing another national team.
The former Juventus, Olympique de Marseille and AS Monaco manager has notably been linked with the Italy job. However, speaking in an interview with M6, France captain Kylian Mbappé has made it clear that he doesn’t want Deschamps to take another job with a national team.
“I hope that he doesn’t play another World Cup with another team… I’m applying the pressure. The media have said Italy and everything… that would be ugly,” said the Real Madrid forward. “He represents a lot to us. Quite a few national teams will want him given the work he has done. Italy should take an Italian! Didier is French, he is ours.”
Mbappé hopes that this will be Deschamps’ final international tournament; in any case, both will hope that it ends with silverware.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
