Raymond Domenech and The Death of French National Football

Raymond “Anti-Press” Domenech was once a name associated with a very composed full back from France who is now the longest serving French National team coach in history exceeding 75 games at the helm. I will explore his history as the national coach and why he is still at the reign of this flailing national football team under the constant scrutiny and cynicism of the public.

He commenced his career with one of the best football nations on the planet in 2004 after the world conquering Aime Jacquet had led a French side who were nothing special and turned them into an astonishing and world conquering team with the assistance of some of the best, most talented footballers to grace the planet, so put it in simple terms he had a titanic job to follow - How would he go?

His aim starting off was obvious he had to bring some pride back to the national squad after they had dropped out of the 2004 Euros to the eventual impressive Euro winners Greece. The first competitive matches that Domenech had were his qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup were they had drawn what looked on paper like a very easy and un-worrying group but the results were not fantastic with some unconvincing results against each of the nations in the group. This really should have been a total breeze for this wonderful French side. Eventually they qualified topping their group by a mere 2 points. Upon reaching the 2006 World Cup Domenech knew this would be another perfect opportunity to take France to the top again. However on the brink of the world’s largest contest the players of the National side led by the now Legendary Zidane (whom Domenech had convinced to come out of international retirement along with a host of other French Internationals) started to doubt the manager and his tactical decisions. Leading up to the wire in the pre tournament friendly’s there was unrest and tension in the French camp which was clearly visible during their highly publicised training sessions. The most famous blunder pre World Cup was the exclusion of Robert Pires from the national side because a player was a Scorpio. What a ludicrous matter, this had turned the French public totally against Domenech and his mysterious ways even before the event began.

The 2006 World Cup begins and France start off very slowly with draws against the eventual surprise group winners Switzerland and South Korea (during this game Domenech is seen talking on his mobile during the first half and laughing, another talking point for the Media to spin). These two games showed a very unrecogised French side who appeared to show no passion or drive on game day. They did however win their third game against first time qualifiers Togo with ease to qualify second in their group a single point above the South Koreans. By this stage Zidane had pretty much taken control of the locker room as well as the field. The player’s disbelief in Domenech and huge trust in their the world conquering captain Zidane annoyed the coach but he looked to take a back seat showing that he knew he would lose the teams belief totally if he scolded the captain. Domenech’s confusing tactics seemed to disappear over the next three games Spain, Brazil and Portugal but who led this smooth and free flowing team Domenech or Zidane?

France would reach the final and lose in the most unfortunate of ways penalties against Italy, so had Domenech done a great job after all? Far from it the French side had come away with divisions and trouble starting to show in the senior side left right and centre, this was a team in ruins but was anything done by the French Football Federation (FFF)........No.

So with Euro 2008 approaching France had qualified second in their group once again not leaving the group with a spotless record after two loses to an unfancied Scotland team. The Final event began all too familiarly for France with another draw against Romania a game which surely should have been an easy one for this side. But it only got worse as France lost their next two games including an embarrassing 4-1 loss to the Netherlands finishing bottom of their group. Surely Domenech had to be asked to move on now he was slammed from all angles the press, the players and the fans.

Well no he was told that the FFF still had belief in him after this shocking performance. Moving forward Domenech was very bitter in all angles of his public perception, not talking to the media very often and being negative whenever he did. It was not what was expected from a coach of a country who love their football as much as the French. The qualifiers came for the current World Cup and once again France were not convincing at all finishing second in their group and having to go into a play off with the Republic of Ireland who they eventually beat producing a goal from the hand of Henry which put them into the finals. Now we have all seen the humiliating start France have had this World Cup but not only has the team being playing horrid football but they also seem to have no real leader at the World Cup they are complaining, fighting and insulting each other all over the place. I know some of you will think this has nothing directly to do with the manager as a number of the players are behaving like spoilt little brats but of course it does. Domenech should have the respect and command of the entire team and should demand and implore dignity from the complete 23 man squad but this is something he most definitely does not have.

How has Domenech kept his job?

It really is utterly surprising that Domenech has been at the French National team for 6 years and counting with no success but plenty of distress and heartbreak for the passionate, loyal and spirited fans. Delving into what may have pushed the FFF to keep Raymond as the coach there are a few things which come to the forefront of our minds when we think of why he could be there still.

Domenech is paid a very small amount compared to what most managers of the other top nations are paid – This could not be it surely. Maybe the fact he has a great relationship with the head of Adidas has kept him at the forefront of the team so long, sponsorship in football is everything these days. He obviously has passion for the game could this have played a part or even his work getting some of the golden players out of retirement to help the French in the 2006 World Cup. All of these are valid points but the tangible reason is this:

Why Raymond Domenech has kept his position lands firmly at the feet of his very close relationship with Jean-Pierre Escalettes the head of the French Football Federation. Jean-Pierre was a regular visitor and supporter of Bordeaux throughout his life, this is where he met a much younger Raymond during his playing days at Bordeaux FC back in the early eighties. This relationship has built itself into great friendship. Continuing to this day with Jean-Pierre’s blind support of Raymond in plain sight for all to see, since taking charge of the FFF back in 2005. Without a doubt he is a ally and stern defender of Domenech and throughout his period as manager has not even posed a threat of displeasure at Domenech’s work. The only time he has come out in displeasure was to say he was unhappy with the team and that it needed to be shuffled after a dreadful Euro 2008 tournament, which would have warranted a new coach at any other leading football nation but not here. Should this kind of relationship be allowed at the top of the football world? Most definitely not.

This Bordeaux connection could be another reason that Laurent Blanc is being given the opportunity to take the helm at the national squad right after Domenech. Let us all hope we will see the exciting French football that once was. Will Blanc be the man to bring that back? Blanc will need to totally start over because the current team is brimming with overpaid impassionate and useless players who are not bringing the flair that can be associated with the French football we all know and loved. Clear out all the disrespectful players and show the team a form of management they have been missing for the last six or so years bring back France’s football soul.

The news that France was considering walking out of the competition because of unrest in the camp over ‘Le Sulk’ Anelka being sent home was absurd. He openly insulted the coach and even though we would all like to do this it is unacceptable for a player of the national squad to even consider this. if I was to tell my boss to F#@# off I would lose my job so in my opinion he should be sent home immediately. The rest of the team should get on with the job at hand, the last thing they need is another distraction from concentrating on the ever so important final game in their group.

We may yet be surprised by France’s last group game and they may still end up having a decent world cup but can the damage of the following remarks from their own nations press ever be erased?

'France are Pathetic, disgraceful and the laughing stock of the world'

The World Cup is Here

It is here after an agonising four year wait the world’s largest event the Football World Cup has arrived and the excitement can be seen everywhere even in the most cynical of people. It is very hard to avoid the spectacle, the news stories and banter surrounding us every day whether it is on the TV or even on public transport over hearing a heated discussion about why the manager chose to select Heskey rather than Bent it is unavoidable and so involving for us all, it has a huge sense of togetherness which is surely considered a positive thing in this ever so negative and divided world.

The talking points of the World Cup so far –

The Vuvuzelas – They Sound like an insect buzzing inside your ear but bring a real iconic side to the South African World Cup, nobody will ever forget where they heard them first that is for sure but let’s just hope they are not used at every large sports event from today forward as they are rather impersonal.

The Jubulani ball – Is this really the reason we have seen such shocking passing, such dreadful long shots and of course the horrible goalkeeping (poor old Robert Green and England).

Some of the game’s biggest stars missing - Ronaldinho, Ferdinand, Essien, Ballack, Adler, Bosingwa, Karhan, Rolfes, Beckham, Diarra, Mikel and the possibility we may not see Robben or Pirlo this has definitely put a dampener on proceedings. Is the European season to intensive on the players?

The shock result so far Switzerland beating Spain, well that was unexpected not much else to say about it really! Did anyone tip that result?

And finally something which is quite upsetting is the evident lack of passion in some of the players. Do their ludicrous wages spoil them and take the fun away from the beautiful game or is playing for their country in the largest competition on the planet not as important as it once was..........

When you hear a snippet of conversation you cannot help but make your own (generally biased) opinion even though in the previous month most people would not have cared who started for Brazil against the mostly nameless North Korean side but suddenly we all have the know-how of the best footballing pundits in the world and believe a 4-4-2 would be an inferior option for the attacking Brazil so they should play an attacking 3-5-2. The question I pose is shall we embrace everyone’s outlook or not? Does our own opinion matter or is it something we should keep to ourselves?

After thinking about this long and hard I have realised as much as you can disagree with or totally dislike even despise others views it is a fantastic thing to see people showing that passion and level of enthusiasm towards this wonderful sport. I think for those of us who love our sport all the time and not just when the large tournaments come around should embrace this curiosity from the rest of the world it is the only way that we can further expand the knowledge of the great sport (in this case football). A perfect example of a clueless and rather annoying view was clear the other day hearing a colleague at work wonder why Australia did not play two goalkeepers against Germany which was quite cringe worthy but after explaining why this could not happen and the basic rules they now understand and will not have to make such a weird and uneducated suggestion again. What I think is that we should all clinch this eagerness to learn and teach others what we do know so more of us will be able to join in these intense and often very entertaining conversations you often come across, such as the reason there are 32 nations in the World Cup or the ever so evident disparity between the style of play in the different leagues of the world or the question still on so many people’s lips: What is the offside rule?