I’ve been thinking about Didier Deschamps after France’s 2–0 defeat to Spain.

He could have blamed injuries, refereeing decisions or missed chances. Instead, he simply acknowledged that France had been second best – technically, tactically and physically.

To me, that is not weakness. It is leadership.

For fourteen years, Didier Deschamps has led one of the world’s most successful national teams, winning the World Cup in 2018 and reaching another final in 2022. His legacy is beyond question. Having announced in January 2025 that he would step down after the 2026 World Cup, regardless of the outcome, he leaves France as one of the most successful national team coaches of the modern era.

What interests me even more, however, is the question this defeat now raises.
Has years of success delayed a deeper conversation about renewal? Has a practical and proven approach gradually come at the expense of innovation? And has individual brilliance too often compensated for the need to evolve the team’s playing identity?

Of course, it is easy to ask these questions with the benefit of hindsight. France had been outstanding throughout the tournament. Perhaps they were simply unprepared for Spain’s intensity, attacking quality and relentless pressing? That is a question worth exploring before drawing broader conclusions.

The best leaders know when reality is trying to teach them something. In my experience, that honesty is often where renewal begins.

And that applies far beyond football. It is just as relevant in boardrooms, businesses and public organizations as it is on the touchline.

That is one of the reasons Jon Morten Melhus and I wrote Why Do Intelligent People Keep Making Stupid Decisions? – The 8 Deadly Sins in Football and Leadership – and How to Avoid Them.

#FootballLeadership #Leadership #DecisionMaking #The8DeadlySins #WorldCup #DidierDeschamps




​


​

​