Mbappé hopes Deschamps won’t become Italy coach: ‘He belongs’ to France

France star Kylian Mbappé admits he would not like to see Didier Deschamps become the Italy coach: ‘He belongs to us.’

France and Real Madrid star Mbappé spoke about the future of Les Blues coach Deschamps in an interview with French media M6.

Deschamps, a former Juventus midfielder and coach, has been serving as the France national team coach since 2012 and won the World Cup in 2018.

It’s already been confirmed that Deschamps will leave the French national team after the end of the 2026 World Cup.

Mbappé: Deschamps belongs to France

France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan (L) and France’s forward Kylian Mbappe react prior to the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between France and Italy at the Parc des Princes in Paris on September 6, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP) (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP via Getty Images)

“I see him smiling, and he’s also more flexible. In the past, I knew him as being tougher, but his strength lies in his ability to adapt to new generations,” Mbappé said via Gazzetta.

“That’s not easy. Yet he has never changed his message. We’re trying to make the most of his presence and pay tribute to him by winning the way he likes.

“However, I hope he doesn’t coach any other national teams,” continued Mbappé.

France’s head coach Didier Deschamps reacts during the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between France and Italy at the Parc des Princes in Paris on September 6, 2024. (Photo by Franck FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

“I’ve seen the reports linking him with Italy. That would be unfortunate. Didier is French; he belongs to us.”

This past May, Deschamps refused to rule out being appointed as the Azzurri head coach, insisting that he’d be “available” after the World Cup.

Italy will appoint a new head coach after June 22, 2026, when the FIGC Presidential elections will take place.

According to several sources in Italy, Roberto Mancini remains the leading candidate for the role, despite his resignation in 2023 to become the coach of the Saudi Arabia national team.