French Football Federation give coach another chance

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PARIS: Raymond Domenech was retained as France coach yesterday at least until qualifying ends for the World Cup.
Domenech’s future had been in doubt with only one win in three qualifiers for the 2010 tournament following France’s group-stage exit at the European Championship in June.
French Football Federation (FFF) president Jean-Pierre Escalettes said yesterday that his organisation want Domenech “to continue until 2010 under the terms of his contract’’ and “that he is implicated in this mission until the World Cup in South Africa’’.
Escalettes said that Domenech “thanked us for the faith we showed him’’.
The FFF were impressed by France rallying from 2-0 down on Saturday to draw 2-2 against Romania and in a 2-1 win over Serbia last month to give Domenech another chance.
The three musketeers: France’s Thierry Henry (centre) celebrates with goalscorer Karim Benzema (left) and Hatem Ben Arfa during their friendly against Tunisia at the Stade de France in Paris on Tuesday. Henry scored the other two goals in the 3-1 win. Inset: Domenech will stay on as France coach until qualifying ends for the 2010 World Cup. — Reuters
Even though France have only four points from three games €” having lost 3-1 at Austria on Sept 6 €” Escalettes said the fact France have played two qualifiers away from home makes the total acceptable.
“We have not hindered our chances,’’ Escalettes said, adding that France need to improve their poor defending after conceding 15 goals in their last seven matches.
“Far too many have been conceded, we agree,’’ Escalettes said.
“But it’s also been a long time since France have scored 11 times in five games.’’
Frederic Thiriez, one of the FFF board members who voted in favour of Domenech yesterday, said bringing in another coach would have “more risks than advantages’’.
Gerard Houllier, Didier Deschamps and Laurent Blanc had all been touted by the French media as possible replacements if Domenech was fired.
The FFF had voted to retain Domenech for a first time on July 3 after France’s poor showing at Euro 2008, where they drew 0-0 with Romania before losing 4-1 to Holland and 2-0 to Italy.
Domenech was strongly reprimanded by the FFF and asked to improve his communication after upsetting fans by proposing live on television to his girlfriend moments after France lost to Italy to exit the tournament.