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Deschamps will lead France in their Nations League quarter-final against Croatia in March, their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup which follows and the subsequent tournament should they qualify. Some have questioned whether he should leave immediately.<\/b><\/p>\n
Horncastle: <\/b>“It depends how many players have bought into Deschamps and want to give him the best send-off possible. Sometimes when there is loyalty towards a coach that manifests itself positively and it can be a galvanising moment.<\/p>\n
“[In the Nations League] You could see Deschamps trying to transition this team and that loyalty may not be there. The core has changed.<\/p>\n
“It depends on how the French FA act as well. When do they feel will be appropriate to announce a successor?”<\/p>\n
Laurens: <\/b>“Jacques Santini was a very different coach, but when he announced before Euro 2004 he was going to step down to go to Spurs, the negative impact that had on that team messed things up massively. <\/p>\n
“He didn’t announce it 18 months prior like Deschamps but it felt like something was broken, like you are abandoning us. <\/p>\n
“I wonder if it will have a similar impact or if, like a lot of people in France seem to be thinking, it will bring peace and tranquillity, the atmosphere will be better for it and the players will want to give him the perfect farewell.<\/p>\n
“I am not sure which way it will go.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n