France boss Didier Deschamps has hit back at Jose Mourinho after the ex-Tottenham boss said his team are favourites to win the Euros this summer.
Mourinho believes France need to be victorious in the competition or it will be a failed tournament for the team.
The world champions are in a good position and Mourinho claims the fire power in the French ranks should result in a successful tournament.
Deschamps has stars like Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann in his 26-man squad.
Mourino said in The Sun : “I cannot see any weakness. If I had to say one team to win it, I will say them – because the group of players is fantastic.
(Image: PA)
“They have to win it. If not, it is an unsuccessful Euros.”
However, Deschamps has said he thought the same about Mourinho’s Tottenham side that went on to win no silverware.
He said: “José … I thought the same thing about his Tottenham team, it did not go as planned (laughs).
“Automatically, with the status of world champions, we are favourites, with three more years of experience. I have a very important offensive potential. But it’s not just that.
“You talk about balance but I don’t disconnect them from our midfield too. We will do everything to have the ball as much as possible but there will be times when we will not have the ball.
“It is not a pressure, it is a reality, we will not run away from the debate: France is one of the favourites for this Euro.”
France warmed up for the Euros with a 3-0 win over Wales in a friendly on Wednesday and they will play another warm-up on Tuesday against Bulgaria before the tournament begins.
Deschamps’ team will play their first group match against Germany on June 15 before taking on Portugal and Hungary.
And while Deschamps focuses on France in the competition, Mourinho will begin to build the Roma team he wants.
Just over two weeks after being sacked by Tottenham he found a new job as Roma’s new manager.
The Portuguese star said on his appointment at the time: “After meetings with the ownership and Tiago Pinto, I immediately understood the full extent of their ambitions for AS Roma.
“It is the same ambition and drive that has always motivated me and together we want to build a winning project over the upcoming years.
“The incredible passion of the Roma fans convinced me to accept the job and I cannot wait to start next season.”
