The former Juventus manager confirmed that talks had taken place and gave his reasoning as to why it wasn't the right time to take the job
Didier Deschamps and his players
Didier Deschamps and his French players(Image: Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
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Liverpool have endured a nightmare period in their season with a string of losses in both Europe and the Premier League. Matters became worse when they slipped to a shock 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield, with pressure mounting on Arne Slot.
The former Feyenoord boss started life in Merseyside in ideal fashion, winning the Premier League title in his first season, although many fans would argue he had inherited a winning Jurgen Klopp side and the team were simply riding the wave of the German's success.
After spending £446 million during the summer window on players like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, the Reds had started the season well, winning their first five games.
However, their season has gone downhill ever since and the pressure is really starting to build on Slot with some already suggesting he could be sacked before the end of the season.
Rewind 15 years and ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was under similar pressure and eventually left after six years at the helm. The Anfield outfit had gone on a very poor run, finishing seventh and missing out on Champions League football.
One name thrown into the mix prior to Roy Hodgson's appointment was Didier Deschamps.
Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps is now manager of France(Image: Photo by Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
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"I was very proud a club like Liverpool were interested in me," said Deschamps. "But the timing was not good.
"I was engaged with Marseille, the players and the fans, and I could not leave them two days before the restart for pre-season. I was extremely pleased and happy but I decided to stay and continue my adventure with Marseille.
"We had a long discussion."
Former Juventus and Monaco manager Deschamps had joined Marseilles in 2009 and had just guided the team to their first Ligue 1 title in 18 years before he was approached by Liverpool.
As a player, he captained France to glory at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. In the years since this rumour was confirmed to have substance, Deschamps went on to leave Marseille in 2012 for the opportunity to manage his country, which he has done for the last 13 years.
In early 2025, he revealed that he would be leaving his role at national coach after the 2026 World Cup. Zinedine Zidane has been widely touted as his potential replacement.
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