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France have extended coach Didier Deschamps' contract until after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Deschamps, who was appointed back in July of 2012 and had a deal until the end of the European Championship next summer, has penned two and a half additional years until the end of 2022. "It is always a pride and an honour for me to coach France," he said. "You know the attachment I have always had and continue to have with what this shirt stands for. I thank the president for his trust and I appreciate the quality of our relationship. I am proud and happy to be able to continue this adventure, even if all of our energy is currently focused on our closest objective -- Euro 2020." France president Noel Le Graet said: "The results do not even need discussing -- it is a very logical decision. The results are convincing and Guy Stephan [assistant coach], as well as Franck Raviot [goalkeeping coach] will also continue. "The [Euro 2020] semifinals is a possible aim. It is never easy to get there. The first matches will not be easy and the draw was not particularly kind, but we must face those games. Our team, at its value, is one of the best in the world. Not having high hopes would make us look like we are not serious." Deschamps, who led Les Bleus to World Cup success in 2018 and captained the 1998 winners on home soil and the Euro 2000 championship as a player, will have served a full decade as coach if he sees out his new contract. Progress has been steady for France under Deschamps, with World Cup success following dramatic qualification for the 2014 edition that eventually saw a quarterfinal finish, and then a painful defeat to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final. Deschamps, who has coached Monaco, Juventus and Marseille at club level, is only the third man to taste World Cup glory as both player and coach after Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer. Only the German and the Frenchman achieved the feat as captain. France will be looking to add the European crown next summer and have been drawn in the same group as holders Portugal and 2014 world champions Germany.
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