The mother of one World Cup head coach has died during the tournament, and her son will now miss their country’s crucial final game of the group stage as a result
Didier Deschamps will be absent from France’s final World Cup group stage fixture against Norway following the devastating loss of his mother.
The head coach will return to his home country from the United States to attend her funeral. France assistant coach Guy Stephan will take charge after being handed the responsibility by Deschamps during his absence.
Having won both of their opening group stage matches against Iraq and Senegal, Les Bleus have already secured their place in the knockout rounds, alongside their forthcoming opponents.
Friday’s fixture will decide who finishes top of Group I. Deschamps, however, will not be present in Boston as the group stage draws to a close.
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The French Football Federation confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday: “Didier Deschamps will not be able to oversee training sessions ahead of the Norway v France match.
“He will also be absent from the bench for Friday’s final Group I game.
“The national team coach learned this morning of the death of his mother and will return to France to attend her funeral.
“In agreement with Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, who is currently at the France team’s base camp, Deschamps has entrusted assistant coach Guy Stephan with responsibility for leading the squad until his return.”
Stephan has spent the past 17 years working alongside Deschamps, initially at Marseille and subsequently with the national side. He also previously served as an assistant under Roger Lemerre when France claimed Euro 2000 glory and the Confederations Cup the following year.
Having departed France following those two successful tournaments, Stephan took charge of Senegal after the 2002 World Cup. He remained in the post for almost three years before being relieved of his duties, marking his last head-coaching role.
Stephan also served as an assistant to Raymond Domenech, who would later manage France. He additionally worked under Jean Tigana at the club before taking the reins himself in 1995.
The former forward spent just one season at Lyon before later taking on a year-long spell at Bordeaux. Stephan subsequently went on to manage France’s under-17 side, before stepping up to the senior national team setup.
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