Comments on: Domenech Keeps His Job. No, Really.

By: Terry from Florida

Terry from Florida — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:02:32 +0000

IF I WAS IN FRANCE THIS IS WHAT I WOULD DO, i love that team so much it really hurts me to see one person ruin our dreams.

WHEN DOMENECH ENTERS THE FIELS BOOOOOOO HIM WISTLE, EVERY TIME LES BLEUS HAVE THE BALL THE SAME,CHEER FOR THE OTHER TEAM,LET PEOPLE’S VOICE BE HEARD AT LEAST PUT SOME PRESSURE, I AM OK WITH FRANCE LOOSING THE FRIENDLY AND 2 WC GAMES IF THAT’S WHAT IT TAKES, WITH DESCHAMPS THE YWILL BOUNCE BACK AND GO TO SA.

By: Steph

Steph — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:08:06 +0000

I would have said something, but Doumé, that was brilliant.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:22:28 +0000

to set:

im sure the players dont want to see him as coach just like all of us…
its just that all of them knew that IF domenech was kept as coach after
stating that they hate the guy, they would have joined domenechs shitlist with
ppl like mexes, trezeguet, flamini. And all the old players support Domenech because
he is the only one who will play them lol

By: Doumé

Doumé — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:03:16 +0000

Well there are many things to say about this one for sure. I’ll address just one aspect. Lack of support.
First, in my memories of supporting les Bleus, going back as far as WC78 as a kid, I have to say I have never ever seen such negativity as the one surrounding the Team from the very start at the Euro 08, from the outside (just look at the Euro board comments, at the TV pundits) and also the inside (some French fans). True, there have been at all times, about 2 million assistant-coaches, specially in cafés at apéritif time. Now, with the web, there are even more people second-guessing any decision made at any time. Of course it’s not new, Mémé Jacquet had his problems with the media and the naysayers, and Platini too (even though he pledged every player would attack) and of course all the others. I think we have been spoiled overall in the last 10 years, with a great team, specially You-Know-Who, and expectations were high even with him gone, I’ve seen a comment at the start of the Euro saying “I expect no less than victory”. (I personally hoped we’d make the semifinal).

So basically, it seemed that France had retrograded to, say, a #194 rank after that Romania tie, and we were basically the filthiest stinkiest trash ever to set foot on grass. I guess, knowing that Romania’s game would be all based on no initiative and counter attack, Domenech was reluctant to go all out, for fear of getting stabbed by a Scotland-type goal (that would be a crappy start for the tournament); but we did have have occasions when the ball could conceivably had gone in (at least 2 very clear ones), and it would have been a different road from there. If anything, I blame Domenech for listening too much to people after that. Gallas said he wanted to come up and attack? He sure was allowed against he NL, and we got exposed to some murderous counterattacks because of that – yet we did have long stretches of domination against them, and they did say we were much tougher than Italy to play. After the NL game, people wanted Thuram kicked to the curb? Sure, Abidal was put in his place, with the results we know. The second Italian goal was just a nothing play, just a spit in the face from Destiny I guess (why don’t we ever get that kind of luck by the way?).

I sincerely think that Spain, along with the 3 other semi-finalists, benefitted from a very positive atmosphere and just wholehearted support from their guys (and the media, specially for Spain which could do no wrong) and it showed on the field. I feel there was so much pressure on the French players to score that they tried to play too cute and with no spontaneity (I think that’s why he brought Gomis on, hoping that he wouldn’t measure the gravity of the situation and play with youthful enthusiasm). I also think Domenech’s antics and weird behaviors were kind of calculated to divert the negativity from the players onto him, well it didn’t work since players were critcized for making the squad at the place of others. As for the choice of players, well, we all have our favorite leagues, teams, styles, guys but I’m not sure a Mexes at 50% and a Trezeguet would have given us some 10-0 results.

Can you base anything you do according to what the Italians do? Not necessarily, they do things differently. Remember that there was a period of time when they had, oh 14 prime-ministers in a 6-month span (something like that). I think several aspects of Domenech’s job will be accountable for, and reviewed, so I feel things will look a little more “orthodox” from now on.

And for those who started now supporting Serbia and Austria, respectable teams anyway, I think there are some jerseys available on EBay – I hope you enjoy their offensive fireworks.

By: jeff

jeff — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:39:05 +0000

A lot of France supporters were hoping for a fresh start. I’ve heard very few people who support him staying on. Casual observers, like my wife Isabelle, are disgusted that he’s staying on.

I, myself, hate it when a manager doesn’t pick the best available players, so I would have sacked him a long time ago.

By: Storm

Storm — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:18:10 +0000

Unbelievable. How bad do you have to be to get sacked?

By: Thierry

Thierry — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:41:46 +0000

“you can never discount politics, because politics make the world go round.” Yes, all is said. I will always remember Domenech seeming satisfied after the match against Romania and applausing his players for a no match. Domenech is a good coach for Defense, but he is unable in attack. Like most of the french coaches who come from the DTN(Direction Technique National), he is good in Defence and tactical organisation, but have a big lack of ambition in offense. The opposition between the Last day of Ligue 1 and its 43 goals and the common number of goal the other days (less than 20) shows the very defensive mentality of the coaches who where educated in France, nowadays and the enormous difference between potential and ambition.

By: set

set — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:43:25 +0000

Well, the players seemed to want him to stay. It’s understandable if they prefer continuity. As sad as it can be, not many people have the experience and knowledge that he has and you can’t remove that from him.

This time, he’ll be under strict surveillance, and the critics are pretty clear. It seems obvious he’ll have to refresh the team with younger players and offensive football. It’s obvious to the whole world, and I would be surprised if he doesn’t do his best to correct that.

Wait and see..

By: Jao

Jao — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:12:52 +0000

Sadly, I am hoping we suck in those first three matches. Maybe 2 draws and a lost. Hopefully that will get him sacked.

By: Via

Via — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:51:18 +0000

No, come on…. ?!!?

I cannot even comment that!