Didier Deschamps took full responsibility for the "unacceptable" collapse of the French national team in the first half during the 6-4 loss to England, ending his historic 14-year coaching tenure with Les Bleus in a painful way.

The French team trailed 4-0 in the first half of the World Cup third-place match before fighting back in the second half, but this late comeback was not enough to prevent Deschamps' defeat in his 185th and final match in charge of the team.

Deschamps told reporters in his comments: "It's a defeat, but we were trailing 4-0. We had an unacceptable first half."

Deschamps added: "There was a reaction, with the things we know how to do well. We had two chances to make it 4-4, but we pushed forward a little too much."

The French coach continued: "That's what we know how to do, but we didn't do it. It's my fault because I didn't do what was required in the first half."

Deschamps affirmed that the performance after the break at least restored pride, although he admitted that the sporting disappointment for the French team in the tournament remained significant after their arrival in North America seeking to win a third world title.

Deschamps stated: "It would have been better to finish the tournament in third place. We came here with great ambition. We succeeded in achieving some positive things."

The France coach added: "We failed in our match against Spain, and they knew how to perform well against us. This group has football quality. There was enough talent to achieve results."

Deschamps continued: "On a human level, it was a beautiful adventure. Eight weeks, it was beautiful."

Deschamps concluded: "The disappointment is on the sporting level. We had the chance to create emotions for tens of millions of French people. It's the World Cup, and there is nothing more beautiful than it."