Since taking over in 2012, the 55-year-old has guided his nation to three of the five finals that may occur and one World Cup victory.
With that achievement in 2018, he became one of the elite few to have won a world championship as both a manager and a player, and this summer he has the opportunity to create even more history.
If he leads France to victory in Germany, he will only be the second person—after German Berti Vogts—to win a European Championship in both his managerial and playing capacities, and the first to have accomplished the “double double.”
Not bad for a guy who used to be written off as a “water carrier”.
Deschamps has one of the greatest careers as an international manager and player.
The former player for Marseille, Juventus, and Chelsea is widely considered one of the best defensive midfielders of his period. He has won two French league crowns, three Serie A championships, and two Champions League trophies.
His important but unsung role was described by his former France teammate Eric Cantona as “a water carrier,” meaning that his main responsibility was to win the ball and then pass it to more creative teammates.
In a 1996 interview, Cantona stated, “Deschamps gets by because he gives 100%, but he’ll never be anything more than a water carrier.”
