France´s Domenech survives the axe

Raymond Domenech has survived the sack with the French Football Federation announcing Thursday that he had kept his job as manager despite France's poor showing at Euro 2008.

The 2006 World Cup runners-up were knocked out in the first round at the European championships, returning home with two defeats, one draw, six goals conceded and only one scored.

The decision to stick with Domenech – by 18 votes for and one abstention – was announced by FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes.

He said: “The Executive Committee has maintained the manager in his post to prepare for the 2010 World Cup and redefined the terms of his mission and the conditions of management of the national team.”

Domenech took over from Jacques Santini as France manager after Euro 2004 and guided the team to the 2006 World Cup final where they lost on penalties to Italy.

But there were calls for his sacking after Les Bleus' failed to produce anything like that form in Austria and Switzerland.

Under his watch France have won 30 of their 54 matches with 17 draws and seven defeats.

France's first World Cup qualifier is ironically back in Vienna against Euro co-hosts Austria on September 6.