The light was shone on the one who considers himself a man in the shadows.
In the absence of Didier Deschamps, bereaved by the death of his father on Tuesday May 31, Guy Stéphan (65) led the reigning world champions, beaten this Friday by Denmark (1-2) in the League of Nations .
It is very rare for an assistant to replace his coach in a match.
The only other case in the 21st century dates back to the Italy-France meeting in 2007 (0-0), during the Euro 2008 qualifiers, where Pierre Mankowski then took the place of Raymond Domenech, suspended.
Unbreakable human and professional ties have united Deschamps and Stéphan for many years.
The pair have worked together since their time at OM in 2009. They arrived at the positions of coach and assistant of the Blues in August 2012. The former coach of Lyon and Bordeaux, who had already been assistant of the Blues between 1998 and 2002 with a title of European champion, was this Friday evening for the 164th time on the bench of the Blues.
“Ensuring continuity”
At kick-off, the coach finds himself in front of his television.
Didier Deschamps has complete confidence in his assistant for this match that they prepared together.
But if Guy Stéphan deems it useful, the two will be able to exchange during the meeting.
“The match was prepared in advance with Didier.
We talked about it before the rally, at the beginning and still frequently, Stéphan had indicated at a press conference.
With all the staff, we tried to ensure continuity until his return.
That's what he asked.
»
Read alsoFrance-Denmark (1-2): the notes of the Blues
Located at the very end of the bench, on the right, next to Franck Raviot, the goalkeeper coach, Guy Stéphan gets up to ask the block to go up after the strike on the post of Maehle, at the start of the game.
Unstressed by his first game as number one coach since 2005 when he was Senegal coach, the former Rennes, Le Havre and Caen pro has his eyes fixed on every action.
He exchanges a few sentences with Franck Raviot and very often remains standing, just in front of his bench.
Always calm.
Close to Kingsley Coman on the field, he shows no annoyance at the very average first period of his right piston.
On a stoppage following Kylian Mbappé's injury exit, he replaces Jules Koundé to tell him to compensate for the numerical inferiority, before hearing from Bondy's crack.
There are no exchanges at the break between Didier Deschamps and Guy Stéphan.
Before the start of the second act, the latter speaks for a handful of seconds at the microphone of M6.
“We had a slow start.
When we put some liveliness, we put them in difficulty.
I expected this kind of game against a strong team.
Danes are underrated.
»
“We lacked freshness”
The second period starts with a gem from Karim Benzema.
Arms in the sky, Guy Stéphan applauds while watching his goleador move towards the corner post.
Franck Raviot pats him on the back then Stéphan gives a thumbs up to congratulate his striker before approaching the sideline and giving instructions to Griezmann.
Just before the Danes equalized, the Stade de France chanted the name of Didier Deschamps and turned on the lights on his phone.
The Danes reverse the trend in the last half hour.
Stephan then encourages his men.
In vain.
“We lacked freshness tonight.
I have nothing to reproach the players who did what they could, ”concludes the one who will regain his assistant status in the coming days, at the microphone of M6.
