Corinne Deacon having fulfilled the objective of reaching the last four of the Women’s Euro, it is no surprise that Noël Le Graët confirmed the coach of the France team in her duties, this Thursday, in an interview granted at AFP. The president of the French Football Federation saw Les Bleues “coherent and in progress”, despite the defeat on Wednesday evening against Germany.
What is your analysis of the lost semi-final (2-1): was it France who defeated or Germany who was stronger?
Already, we have achieved the goal of being in the last four. We made a semi-final despite everything of a good level compared to the other semi-final (England-Sweden). I was scared in the first half when the Germans seemed so much stronger physically, and even technically. We equalized at the right time. In the second half I believed in it, we played much better. Our team shows that it has great technical value. We have a 2-1 ball and if we lead it would have been more complicated for the Germans. Their victory is logical on the whole match. We are not out of step, we are well in the FIFA rankings, we are well in the European rankings. We came out of 18 games without defeat, it shows that our team is consistent and progressing.
Failing at the gates of the final, for the 3rd time in history, is that still a disappointment?
When you start a competition, you say to yourself that reaching the last four is great. And when we don’t win this match, there is obviously a disappointment.
Don’t you fear that women’s football in France will mark time, when we see England becoming a dominant nation?
It’s true that England is developing enormously, with means quite different from ours. But to say that French football is not developing is a serious mistake. In number of licensees, we continue to develop. Our A team goes 18 games without defeat, it’s not so bad. And we still have a club (Lyon) which is European champion, what are we complaining about? We can always do better, but our A team is top-level, third in the world, it’s not so bad.
Do you plan to discuss soon with Corinne Deacon, whose contract is coming to an end?
Yes, I will see her as soon as possible. There are holidays for everyone, she has to leave, I myself am going to Martinique for a few days. We’ll make an appointment. She’s going back to Paris today, I’ll have her on the phone in the evening or physically in Paris early next week.
What is your wish?
I still supported her in periods when there were not many people to support her. Today there are results that are rather positive, I don’t see why I won’t support her again. She must want to continue. There is the World Cup (in 2023) soon and the Olympics in Paris (in 2024), I really want it. And maybe the Euro in France in 2025.
If Corinne Deacon wished to extend, it would be until when?
The Olympics. I see that when you change coaches every year or two, even in clubs, things don’t progress. With Corinne, we are on the right track. It was harder, but we are progressing. I don’t see why we wouldn’t find an agreement.”
It has profoundly rejuvenated the workforce, by sidelining several executives. Would you support her if she went even further?
Tell me about executives who didn’t do their job. When I see Wendie Renard play, for me she remains one of the best defenders in the world in this position. Don’t tell me she can’t play for another three, four years. Griedge Mbock next to her is very young, the midfielders are all very young. She has just formed the team of tomorrow, with (Marie-Antoinette) Katoto who will obviously start as soon as she recovers.
The sidelining of Amandine Henry and Eugénie Le Sommer caused a lot of ink to flow. Is the page definitively turned?
It’s like with Didier (Deschamps), we can discuss but it’s always up to the coach to decide.