Domench gets FFF support

(GSM) – Raymond Domenech will remain in his position coach of the France national team, according to the president of the French Football Federation, Jean-Pierre Escalettes, putting an end to recent speculation that cast doubt over the manager’s future.

Domenech has been an unpopular figure with fans of Les Bleus and the pressure has mounted on the former Lyon manager after France needed a controversial extra-time goal to make it to to the World Cup finals.

FFF board member Guy Chambily had called for a vote on Domenech’s future, but after a meeting, it has been decided that the 57-year-old manager will remain in his role.

“The question was posed to all the members of the board by Mr Guy Chambily,” said FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes.

“The debate lasted an hour-and-a-half without the presence of Raymond Domenech. Everyone expressed themselves.

“But out of the whole of the members of the federal board, no-one, with the exception of Guy Chambily, asked for there to be a debate opened on whether to keep Raymond Domenech.”

Escalettes believes that any change in France’s management would have a negative influence on the team’s preparations for the World Cup.

He said, “That would have been totally counter productive since our aim must be to prepare the France team for the World Cup, it would have been hardly in accordance with the line of conduct of the board who have twice confirmed Raymond Domenech as coach.

“He had to qualify Les Bleus for the World Cup and that’s what he did. We’re qualified and that was the only sportive clause that figured in his contract.”