Deschamps named new France coach

France's World Cup and Euro winning captain Didier Deschamps was named coach of the national side on Sunday, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on its website.



The 43-year-old - who captained France to the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 trophies - replaces fellow World Cup and Euro winning team-mate Laurent Blanc, who turned down a new two year contract last weekend.



Blanc had guided the French to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals - the minimum requirement of the FFF - but dressing room discord and two outbursts by Samir Nasri had not helped Blanc's cause.



Deschamps immediately became the favourite and lent credence to the fact by quitting Marseille last Monday.



"Noel Le Graet, President of the FFF, and Didier Deschamps reached agreement after the conclusion of their talks for him to be named France coach," read the statement.



Both men are to hold a joint press conference on Monday at the federation headquarters at 1530 GMT.



Frederic Thiriez, president of the French Professional League (LFP), welcomed the appointment unreservedly.



"Didier Deschamps is obviously the man of the moment," said Thiriez.



"The French team needs in this difficult context, a man of his stamp and experience.



"He can naturally count on the support without fail of the professional football world in France."



Deschamps contract is expected to be for two years - taking him up to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, with another two likely to be on the table should they qualify for them, while he is expected to be assisted by his faithful Marseille lieutenant Guy Stephan.



It was Stephan, who approached Deschamps on Le Graet's behalf when it became apparent that Blanc might not sign the new contract, as he knew the French football supremo from owning a house in the Brittany town of Guingamp where Le Graet had served two terms as Socialist mayor.



Deschamps' first task will be to prepare the squad for a high profile friendly with Copa America champions and World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay in Le Havre on August 15 while their first World Cup qualifier is against Finland on September 7.



However, with just one automatic qualifying spot up for grabs in the shape of group winners, France face a tough task to take that one as two-time European champions and World Cup holders Spain are in the same group.



Belarus and Georgia are the other two sides.

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Zinedine Zidane 'dreams' of coaching France

The president of the French Football Federation admitted Tuesday that Zinedine Zidane is a contender to one day manage France, although he will not be the successor to the recently-departed Laurent Blanc.



Zidane holds legendary status in France as a member of the national teams that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 and is currently working as sporting director at Real Madrid.



The 40-year-old is also studying a diploma in sports management in Limoges and FFF supremo Noel Le Graet believes the former Juventus and Real Madrid playmaker has what it takes to become a future coach of Les Bleus.



"It's great that Zinedine Zidane has expressed a desire to work closely with the French national team in future and, if it is not possible right now, he dreams of coaching the national team in 10 years time," said Le Graet.



"He has also said that he is ready to study for his coaching badges at (France's National Technical Centre) Clairefontaine," added Le Graet.



In the meantime, Blanc's decision not to sign a new contract last weekend has left the FFF with a vacancy to fill ahead of the start of the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.



Didier Deschamps, a free agent after leaving Marseille, is the French Federation's first choice for the job.

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Blanc quits as France coach

Laurent Blanc has opened the door to Tottenham after leaving his position as France coach following the expiry of his contract.



The Frenchman, who has been linked with Spurs following Harry Redknapp's departure, has turned down the offer of a new contract with the French Football Federation.



Blanc, who took charge of the national side after the disastrous 2010 World Cup campaign, led Les Bleus to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012, where they lost 2-0 to Spain.



The former Bordeaux boss held talks with FFF president Noel le Graet on Thursday and had been offered a new two-year contract, but he was told that he would have to reduce his coaching staff. On Saturday it emerged that he had decided to walk away from the position.



A statement on the FFF website read: "Within the period provided for reflection, Laurent Blanc, on Saturday contacted the President of the FFF, Noel Le Graet, to indicate his decision not to seek the renewal of his contract of national coach.



"Mr Le Graet has acknowledged and applauded the work of Laurent Blanc at the head of the France team since August 2010. The executive committee of the federation is meeting on Tuesday but no comments will be made by the FFF and its president before the press conference scheduled at the conclusion of this work session.''



Blanc, a World Cup and European Championship winner during his playing career, had overseen a 23-game unbeaten run that ended with a surprise 2-0 defeat to Sweden in the final group game of this summer's tournament.



Marseille coach Didier Deschamps, who captained France to glory in 1998 and 2000, is believed to be the leading contender for the position. UEFA president Michel Platini said on Saturday afternoon that he welcomed Deschamps' candidature.



"If Laurent Blanc [leaves] it is a shame because he had indicated his wish to continue, but Didier Deschamps is among the very good coaches," Platini said.



"It is the FFF president who chooses. I do not think we have bad players. Progress has been made. We have potential but it is our place in the quarter-finals. Anyway, Didier Deschamps does know the team."

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Nasri apologises for foul-mouthed rant

France midfielder Samir Nasri on Tuesday issued an apology for insulting a journalist after his team were knocked out of the Euro 2012 quarter-finals by Spain last Saturday.



"Too many untruths circulate at the moment. May the fans, and the children in particular, know that I regret sincerely that my words may have shocked," he said on his Twitter feed.



Nasri, who was a second-half substitute in France's 2-0 defeat by world and European champions Spain, passed waiting reporters without saying a word after the match.



"I love the France team, I love football and I have deep respect for the fans. For the rest, it's a personal matter between me and some journalists. I will explain myself in due time," Nasri added.

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