Didier Deschamps Named New French National Team Head Coach

Former French national football team captain Didier Deschamps has "finally accepted" the job as the national team's head coach, succeeding Laurent Blanc, according to L'EQUIPE. One week after ending his tenure with Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille, Deschamps "reached an agreement" with French Football Federation President Noël Le Graët. Deschamps agreed to a two-year contract with a two-year extension if the French team qualifies for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil (L'EQUIPE, 7/8). LE JOURNAL DU DIMANCHE opined that Deschamps took the position because "he dreamed of the post for years," and an "opportunity like this does not present itself every day." His assistant coach will be Guy Stéphan, who "accompanied him for three years with Olympique de Marseille" (JDD, 7/8). AFP reported that Deschamps will coach his first match "against Copa America champions Uruguay" Aug. 15 at Le Havre, France (AFP, 7/8).