Intro:

New French national soccer coach Didier Deschamps gave his first press conference in Paris on Monday (9th July), after taking over from Laurent Blanc at the weekend.

Script:

Didier Deschamps was unveiled as the new France national team coach at a press conference on Monday.

The former Marseille coach takes over from Laurent Blanc, who stepped down from the role after elimination in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

Deschamps captained France to World Cup glory in 1998, but insists this is his greatest achievement - although he does admit that the reputation of French football needs rescuing.

SOUNDBITE (French) Didier Deschamps, French Football coach:
"I would like to thank the President, Noel Le Great for trusting me to become the new coach of this French football team. I am very proud and it is a great honour for me to have this responsibility because I am very attached to this blue, white and red shirt. It is the best thing that has happened to me in my professional career."

SOUNDBITE (French) Didier Deschamps, French Football coach:
"I am not here to threaten anyone, as you know I am a very demanding man. I give all my trust but today French Football's situation, with all that has happened in the past, I think we all agree, the players cannot fail."

Deschamps will have only an exhibition game against Uruguay next month to prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.