Why isn’t Didier Deschamps on the touchline vs. Norway, and who is leading France in World Cup clash?
France boss Deschamps steps away for a personal tragedy, with veteran assistant Guy Stéphan set to lead the team against Norway in Boston.
Didier Deschamps will not be on the touchline for France’s final Group I game against Norway following the death of his mother earlier this week.
On Tuesday, the French Football Federation released a statement explaining that Deschamps would be returning to France to attend her funeral, causing him to miss two training sessions and Friday’s clash with Norway.
The statement also revealed that assistant manager Guy Stéphan would be filling in for Deschamps, both in training and in the dugout at Gillette Stadium in Boston, until his return.
Who is Guy Stéphan?
Stéphan, 69, has been France’s assistant since 2012, the year Deschamps took over as manager from former teammate Laurent Blanc. The two previously worked together in the same roles at Marseille from 2009 to 2012.
Having had his playing career cut short by injuries sustained in a car accident, Stéphan moved into coaching at age 30. After several years working in the French lower leagues and as assistant manager at Lyon, he took charge of the first team in 1995 for just over a year, before later managing Bordeaux, another of France’s biggest clubs, for a short spell in the late 1990s.
Stéphan later served as Roger Lemerre’s assistant as France won Euro 2000, a spell that was followed by three years with Senegal, where he helped guide them to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals in 2004.
What’s at stake in France vs. Norway
France only need a draw against Norway to ensure they win Group I, which would set up a round of 32 meeting with Paraguay, Sweden, or the third-placed team from Group G, which will be decided later on Friday.
If they lose to Norway, they will face the Group K runner-up, which will be Colombia, Portugal, or DR Congo.
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