Guy Stéphan Reflects on His Journey with France's National Team Ahead of Key Matches

Guy Stéphan, assistant coach to Didier Deschamps since 2012 for the French national team, shared insights during an exclusive interview with 90min at Clairefontaine. This took place just before the upcoming matches against Azerbaijan on October 10 and Iceland on October 13, as part of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

With an impressive record of 208 matches with the French team, Stéphan is a significant figure in the legacy of Les Bleus. The 68-year-old tactician, who has served as Deschamps’ right-hand man since 2012, opened up during a half-hour conversation about the current qualifications, his memories with the team, and the dynamics of his long-standing relationship with the coach, whom he has known since Euro 2000. Here’s a closer look at this French football legend.

Insights Ahead of Key Matches

90min – How are you feeling at the start of October’s gathering?

Guy Stéphan – I’m good, thank you. We had a successful gathering in September, winning both matches, so we’re smiling. This doesn’t guarantee World Cup qualification, but it shows we’re on the right path.

Player Sentiment and Challenges

90min – What is the mood of the players arriving on Monday?

G. S – As always, they are happy to be here. Unfortunately, we have several injuries, with six offensive players missing: Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Marcus Thuram, Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola, and Randal Kolo Muani. That’s quite a lot. We also have one suspended player, Aurélien Tchouaméni. These things happen.

Reinventing the Attack

90min – How do you plan to reinvent the attack for this gathering?

G. S – We need to find new solutions. The profiles aren’t the same as before. For instance, we have Jean-Philippe Mateta with us for the first time. He’s been scoring goals at Crystal Palace and has the profile of a true striker. We also welcome back Florian Thauvin, who hasn’t been with us since 2019. He had a stint in Mexico and Italy, and he’s had a strong start this season with RC Lens.

Mateta’s Journey

90min – What do you think about Jean-Philippe Mateta’s career trajectory?

G. S – He has changed clubs frequently, moving from Châteauroux to Mainz, then to Olympique Lyonnais, and now he’s at Crystal Palace. His journey is quite unique, and although he faced challenges, through hard work and determination, he has made a name for himself in England.

Open Doors for the National Team

90min – Does his selection prove that the doors to the national team are always open?

G. S – Absolutely! The French team isn’t just for the younger players we’ve seen recently like Olise, Doué, Akliouche, and Cherki. We have a broad view of French players in Ligue 1 or abroad. With six offensive players absent, the doors to the national team open more easily. Mateta is one of the forwards capable of making a difference.

“The international level is significantly higher than national levels.”

– Guy Stéphan

Age and Dynamics of the Team

90min – This month, the average age of the team is 25.6 years, a year older than in September. Does this youthfulness change your coaching style?

G. S – Football evolves quickly. Today, only three players from the 2018 World Cup champions remain (Kylian Mbappé, Lucas Hernandez, and Florian Thauvin), and that was just seven years ago. This shows that the French team is renewing itself. The challenge is finding chemistry. We need to maintain our position at the top of the FIFA rankings, which we’ve held alongside Argentina, Spain, and possibly others for eight or nine years. It’s crucial to identify players who not only have quality but can also make a difference on an international level, which isn’t easy. We often hear, “this player deserves to be called up,” but the international level is much higher.

Focus on the Matches Ahead

90min – How do you prepare for the match against Azerbaijan, a nation we don’t see often?

G. S – I won’t say they have world-class players, but there are good ones for sure. However, they are ranked 122nd in FIFA for a reason. That said, surprises can happen in football! We’ve prepared for this match as we do for any other. We’ve studied how Azerbaijan plays, their strengths, and formations. It’s essential to prepare seriously, as the international level doesn’t allow for complacency.

Understanding Objectives

90min – What’s more challenging: facing a team that defends deeply or a major nation that poses offensive issues?

G. S – France has never thrived in comfort. We need a clear objective, which we currently have: to finish first in the World Cup qualifying phase. We want to secure three points from this match.

Stadium Preferences

90min – Is it a regret to not play any qualifiers at Stade de France?

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G. S – The Stade de France holds more fans, almost double the capacity. We love playing there, but Parc des Princes also has a great atmosphere and is conveniently close to accommodations.

A Strong Partnership

90min – How does your duo with Didier Deschamps function, given your long history together?

G. S – We’ve known each other since Euro 2000 when he was the captain and I was part of Roger Lemerre’s staff. We’ve built our rapport over the years, first at Marseille, where we faced challenges. He has always relied on me during tough times, even while winning trophies at Marseille.

Decisions and Responsibilities

90min – What is the extent of your role in decision-making, like calling up players or making substitutions in a match?

G. S – It’s a constant exchange. Ultimately, he makes the final decision, but I provide my opinion and reasoning for each choice. He consults me frequently, but the last word is always his.

Beyond Professional Ties

90min – What kind of relationship do you have outside of work?

G. S – We often call each other. Just last week, I attended his son’s wedding. I consider him a friend; there’s definitely a strong bond.

Coaching Perspectives

90min – What are the main differences between being a head coach and an assistant coach?

G. S – As the head coach, the responsibility is greater since the pressure falls on your shoulders. It’s crucial to have a loyal and complementary staff when you’re in charge. My role is to facilitate decision-making for the head coach, presenting all the necessary elements to make the process as straightforward as possible.

Future Plans

90min – Didier Deschamps announced he would leave the national team after the 2026 World Cup. Will you follow suit?

G. S – Yes, my contract ends on July 30, 2026.

Memorable Matches

90min – What were the three most emotionally impactful matches you’ve experienced with the national team?

G. S – (Pauses for ten seconds.) France vs. Ukraine in November 2013 at Stade de France, the World Cup final against Croatia in 2018, and the match against Argentina in 2022. If it weren’t for the Ukraine match, the rest wouldn’t have happened. The victory in 2018 was also emotionally significant.

Football Passion

90min – How many matches do you watch on a weekend?

G. S – Between 15 and 20 or more. Sometimes I watch two at once, but it’s not very practical! It starts on Friday and goes until Sunday night. I mainly focus on French players playing abroad.

Family Legacy

90min – How have you passed on your passion for football to your sons?

G. S – My sons Julien and Guillaume have grown up in this environment. Julien has always had a coaching instinct, and he took charge of a professional team in Rennes in 2018, which launched his career. Guillaume leans more towards administrative roles.

Looking Forward

90min – Have you imagined becoming such an important figure in French football and the national team?

G. S – No, definitely not. I was involved in youth national teams, but it was quite different back then. I come from a small village and was far from professional football. It was only through hard work and meaningful encounters that I made it here.