Deschamps to stay with Marseille

Didier Deschamps, touted as a possible successor to France coach Raymond Domenech, insisted yesterday he would be with Marseille next season and not the French national side.

"I will be here!" said the 1998 World Cup-winning captain, who on Sunday said he had not been contacted by the French Football Federation about taking over from Domenech after the World Cup.

"I will be here and that is what I have planned for. Afterwards, we don't know what can happen."

Deschamps arrived at Marseille last summer on a two-year contract, and club officials are keen to keep him.

The other hot favourite in the race to succeed Domenech, Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc, has refused any comment on the subject until season's end.

FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes said in January that Domenech's successor would be known before the World Cup kicks off in South Africa on June 11.