Didier Deschamps

On May 26, 1993, Didier Deschamps captained Olympique de Marseille to victory in the UEFA Champions League final, held at the Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany. Marseille defeated AC Milan 1-0, with the winning goal scored by Basile Boli. This victory was historic as it marked the first time a French club had won the prestigious European competition. Deschamps played a crucial role as the captain and leader on the pitch, known for his defensive skills and composure. The victory was a pivotal moment in Deschamps' career, establishing him amongst Europe's elite players and setting the stage for his future successes.

On July 12, 1998, Didier Deschamps captained the French national team to victory in the FIFA World Cup final against Brazil, held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France. This event was historic as it marked France's first World Cup victory. Deschamps played a crucial role in leading a team filled with legendary players such as Zinedine Zidane, who scored twice in the final. France's 3-0 win against Brazil was celebrated across France, and Deschamps, as captain, lifted the prestigious trophy, etching his name in football history. This victory was seen as a cultural moment for France, which united the country in celebration.

Didier Deschamps captained the French national team to another major international trophy at UEFA Euro 2000, held in Belgium and the Netherlands. On July 2, 2000, France defeated Italy 2-1 in the final, held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, with a dramatic golden goal from David Trezeguet. Deschamps, known for his tactical intelligence and leadership on the field, played a pivotal role throughout the tournament. The win established France as the first team to hold both the FIFA World Cup and the European Championship titles simultaneously since West Germany in the 1970s. Deschamps retired from international football shortly after this tournament, leaving a legacy as one of football's greatest captains.

On May 26, 2004, Didier Deschamps managed AS Monaco to reach the UEFA Champions League final, which is considered one of the greatest achievements in the club's history. Under Deschamps' leadership, Monaco, with a team not filled with stars but brimming with potential, faced Porto in the final, held at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Although Monaco lost 3-0, reaching the final was a significant accomplishment, showcasing Deschamps' tactical acumen and ability to inspire a relatively inexperienced team to perform beyond expectations. Deschamps' run to the final included notable victories against Real Madrid and Chelsea.

Didier Deschamps was appointed as the head coach of Juventus on November 7, 2007. This marked a new chapter in Deschamps’ coaching career. He took over the club after it had been relegated to Serie B following the Calciopoli scandal. Deschamps faced the challenging task of rebuilding the team, both on and off the field, to ensure its quick return to Serie A. His managerial skills were pivotal as he introduced tactical discipline and teamwork. Under his guidance, Juventus was promoted back to Serie A after winning the Serie B title in the 2006-07 season, restoring the club's status in Italian football.

On July 8, 2012, Didier Deschamps was officially appointed as the head coach of the French national football team. Following his successful playing career, Deschamps transitioned to management, having managed clubs like AS Monaco, Juventus, and Marseille. His appointment as manager of the national team came after the resignation of Laurent Blanc. As manager, Deschamps was tasked with revitalizing the French national team, known as Les Bleus, and preparing them for upcoming international competitions, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016. Deschamps' leadership and experience as a former World Cup-winning captain brought a sense of stability and ambition to the team.

On June 11, 2013, the French national team, under the management of Didier Deschamps, secured qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The qualification process was not without challenges, but Deschamps' tactical acumen and leadership played a crucial role in guiding the team through. France secured their World Cup spot with a memorable 3-0 victory over Ukraine in the second leg of the play-off at the Stade de France, overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit. Deschamps' ability to motivate his players and adjust tactics proved vital in this campaign, ultimately leading to another opportunity for Les Bleus to compete on football's biggest stage.

On July 10, 2016, Didier Deschamps led the French national team to the final of UEFA Euro 2016, which was hosted in France. The final was held at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, where France faced Portugal. Despite dominating much of the tournament and entering the final as favorites, France was defeated 1-0 in extra time by Portugal, with the only goal scored by Eder. Despite the loss, Deschamps was praised for his management and ability to bring out the best in players like Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet. The tournament saw increased unity in the French team and optimism about their future prospects.

On July 15, 2018, Didier Deschamps achieved the rare feat of winning the FIFA World Cup as both a player and a coach when he led the French national team to victory in the 2018 World Cup held in Russia. France defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final, which took place at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. This win made Deschamps only the third person to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach, joining Brazil's Mário Zagallo and Germany's Franz Beckenbauer. Known for his pragmatic and effective coaching style, Deschamps successfully built a team centered around young talent such as Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

In recognition of his achievements with the French national team, including winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Didier Deschamps was named the World's Best National Team Coach of 2018 by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) on January 7, 2019. Deschamps received widespread acclaim for successfully managing a team that combined young talent and experienced players to win France its second World Cup. His ability to instill discipline and unity within the squad was credited as a key factor in their triumph. This award further cemented Deschamps' reputation as one of the finest national team managers in the world of football.