Mbappé says 'Italy should look for an Italian' as Deschamps' future is debated ahead of World Cup

Kylian Mbappé has pushed back on speculation that Didier Deschamps might take the Italy national team job, saying in an M6 interview in the days before France's World Cup debut that "Italy should look for an Italian" and that Deschamps is "ours." The remarks come amid wider discussion about the future of France's long-serving coach, whose contract is due to expire after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Why it matters

Deschamps has been France head coach since 2012 and will not renew his contract after the 2026 tournament, according to the report. That makes any speculation about his next move newsworthy: he is one of the most decorated figures in international football, and countries in trouble could see him as an attractive candidate. Mbappé's public intervention keeps the focus on Deschamps' role with France at a pivotal moment — both for Les Bleus' bid at North America 2026 and for the coach's legacy.

What Mbappé said and the immediate context

Speaking to M6, Mbappé described the reports linking Deschamps to Italy as "painful" and said he had been putting pressure on the coach not to leave. He told the broadcaster: "I hope he doesn't go coach another national team. I keep putting pressure on him about that. I've seen the reports about Italy, and it would be painful. It's our coach, and he means a lot to us." The interview took place in the run-up to France's opening match of the World Cup in North America.

Deschamps' credentials and ties to Italy

The report underlines why Deschamps is so widely admired: as a player he was in France's 1998 World Cup-winning side, and as coach he led France to the World Cup title in 2018 and to the final in 2022. That record puts him among a tiny group of people who have won the World Cup both as a player and as a manager. World Soccer Talk also notes that if Deschamps were to win the 2026 tournament he would become only the second coach in history to lift the trophy twice.

The report also highlights Deschamps' real links to Italian football: he played for Juventus between 1994 and 1999, winning 10 trophies including the 1995–96 UEFA Champions League, and he later managed the club in 2006–07, registering a 69.7% points percentage during that spell.

Why Italy might be linked to Deschamps — and what the report says

World Soccer Talk frames Italy's interest as plausible because the Azzurri are described as being "in the midst of a crisis" after failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. Given Deschamps' international record and his experience in Italy with Juventus, the report says it would be understandable if Italy's federation looked at him as a solution — but Mbappé has made his preference clear that Deschamps remains France's coach.

• Mbappé told M6 he hopes Deschamps won't coach "another national team" and said "Italy should look for an Italian. Didier is French, he's ours."
• Didier Deschamps has been France head coach since 2012 and will not renew his contract after the 2026 World Cup, per the report.
• As a player Deschamps won the 1998 World Cup; as a coach he won in 2018 and reached the 2022 final.
• Deschamps played for Juventus (1994–1999) and managed the club in 2006–07, winning multiple trophies and recording a 69.7% points percentage in his managerial spell.
• The report says Italy are in crisis after failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, which helps explain why speculation about a high-profile coach would arise.

How this affects France and Deschamps' legacy

Mbappé's remarks are as much about protecting the short-term focus of the France camp as they are about long-term succession planning. With Deschamps' contract finishing after the tournament, public shows of support from key players help frame the narrative while the World Cup itself will inevitably shape discussions about his legacy. A strong run in North America would strengthen France's argument for continuity in the period immediately after the tournament, while any decision on Deschamps' next steps will now be watched closely by the international football community.

What happens next

For now, Deschamps remains France's head coach through the 2026 World Cup, and Mbappé's comments keep the spotlight on that relationship. The supplied source does not include any confirmation from the Italian federation or from Deschamps that a move is underway, so any future developments would require official statements or further reporting. If Deschamps does leave international football after the tournament, his experience and record mean he is likely to be linked with top jobs — but Mbappé's public plea underlines how France's players view his role.