EXCLUSIVE | Marcel Desailly: ‘Didier Deschamps has that winning mentality.’
EXCLUSIVE | Marcel Desailly: ‘Didier Deschamps has that winning mentality. ’ Get French Football News sat down with former France, Olympique Marseille, AC Milan and Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly to talk to talk about the France squad and the current issues surrounding his former club sides. In this first of a four-part interview, we asked him to speak about outgoing France boss and long-time friend Didier Deschamps.
With Didier Deschamps about to embark on his last tournament as France coach, can you speak – as someone who has known him since you were both juniors – about him and what he has achieved? I had him as my captain from when I was 14 in France’s youth team – we did the -15s, -17s, -19s, -21s and full France team together. You could immediately see that he was a born leader.
Limited athletically speaking, but with a determination and professionalism and tactical understanding. So I knew that as soon as he ended his playing career, he wouldn’t want to be a businessman or go into philanthropy or endorsements. He just wanted to be a coach.
And he immediately showed his potential to become a great coach. He took over at AS Monaco and we saw his ability to be a real leader. He knows how to identify the key moments and to capitalise on them.
That’s what marks him out. And he is able to prove to you, from what he shows you in training, that you’re heading in the right direction – he gives you belief. And when you’re able to give the players confidence, that is crucial – that is what gives you that adrenaline to buy into the winning culture.