Stéphane Ruffier criticizes former France coach Didier Deschamps

Former French international goalkeeper Stéphane Ruffier has spoken out regarding his difficult relationship with former national team coach Didier Deschamps. In an interview on the podcast ‘La Voix des Gardiens’, Ruffier addressed the misunderstandings that began during the 2014 World Cup.

Ruffier, who earned three caps for France between 2010 and 2015, described a sense of inconsistency in Deschamps’ management. He noted that while he was called up as a replacement for the injured Steve Mandanda, he felt undervalued within the squad hierarchy, stating that Deschamps would only engage with him when necessary.

The former AS Saint-Étienne goalkeeper expressed frustration over his perceived status in the coach’s plans, suggesting that his role and the communication regarding his position in the goalkeeper rotation were often unclear.