Deschamps was our no.1 choice says Le Graet

France’s new coach Didier Deschamps yesterday signed a two-year contract with Les Bleus, with an additional two years should he succeed in qualifying the side for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The 43-year-old, who captained France to the 1998 World Cup title and Euro 2000, put pen to paper 24 hours after being named as the successor to Laurent Blanc, who stood down after Euro 2012.

Deschamps appeared at a press conference alongside France Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet.

“He (Deschamps) will be manager for two years with a further two years if we qualify for the World Cup,” confirmed Le Graet.

Elaborating on how the FFF went about getting their man Le Graet said: “Laurent (Blanc) made his decision (to stand down) on the Friday (June 29). I made contact with Didier, and only with Didier, on the Monday – he was the first choice.”