Didier Deschamps, head coach of the France national football team, will be absent from their final World Cup group stage fixture against Norway following the death of his mother. The 57-year-old manager has returned to France to attend her funeral, leaving assistant coach Guy Stephan to lead the team for the crucial match in Boston.
Deschamps Returns to France
The French Football Federation confirmed the news in a statement on Tuesday, saying: "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."
The statement added that Deschamps, in agreement with federation president Philippe Diallo, has entrusted assistant coach Guy Stephan with leading the squad until his return.
France Already Qualified
France have already secured their place in the knockout rounds after winning both of their opening group matches against Iraq and Senegal. Norway, their opponents on Friday, have also qualified, meaning the match will decide who finishes top of Group I.
Guy Stephan's Experience
Stephan, 67, has worked alongside Deschamps for 17 years, first at Marseille and then with the national team. He previously served as an assistant under Roger Lemerre when France won Euro 2000 and the Confederations Cup in 2001. After those tournaments, Stephan took charge of Senegal following the 2002 World Cup, remaining in the role for nearly three years before being dismissed. His last head-coaching role was at Bordeaux, where he spent one season, and he also managed France's under-17 side before joining the senior setup.
