He Never Writes, He Never Calls… (The Thing About Domenech, Part 1)

December 21st, 2006 | by: Laurie | View Comments

When you start reading up on Bleus coach Raymond Domenech, two things stand out:
1. He makes a lot of people really, really, really mad, and
2. He doesn’ t care.

Latest on the “Totally Pissed At Raymond” List is the truly pretty teen idol and AS Roma centerback, Philippe Mexes. Says Philippe in France Football: “It’s his assistants who telephone me sometimes to take my news (…). I absolutely do not have anything against [Tottenham defender] Pascal Chimbonda, but he [Domenech] could nevertheless have made the effort come to see me, at least once.”

You know, I used to have a boyfriend like that. He wasn’t worth it. Dump him, Philippe. There are a lot of other France National Teams in the sea.

But for what it’s worth, Philippe is not alone. There are a whole bunch of people who think Raymond is communicationally impaired and lacking in the social graces. A few quotes:

Robert Pires, French midfielder: “Raymond Domenech has been disrespectful, as he hasn’t called me a single time to explain to me why I wasn’t part of the French selection for the World Cup. Somebody told me he erased my mobile number.”

Ludovic Giuly, French striker: “This is the worst case scenario. I deserve more respect. I wasn’t in the initial list of 30 players, not even in the list of 40. I don’t know where I am. An explanation in private with the coach would be the least I deserve.”

France and Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet: “Mr Domenech and Mr Martini, I always said ‘hello’ to them, even during the World Cup, that’s a question of education. But don’t ask me to spend an evening out with them.”

Arsene Wenger, Arsenal Manager, referring particularly to Domenech: “I feel like a man who has given the double of his key to a mate. The guy comes, takes your car, uses it for 10 days and leaves it in the middle of a field without any petrol.”

Gerard Houllier, Lyon Manager: “I’ll say it again publicly. I asked the French team staff to better communicate and cooperate with the clubs, more so when when you give eight players to the French team… I believed it was logical to provide news to the clubs when I was national coach. But for now I have to pick up information watching matches on television or in the press.”

Raymond’s response to Gerard? (Actually, I believe it was to a reporter. I don’t think he actually communicated with Houllier personally): “I can’t ring all the coaches every week only to ask them if everything is okay.”

Because gosh, yeah, communicating with the coach of the club you take 8-10 players from? A total waste of time.

One thing I will say, though. Domenech seems to take all the Raymond-bashing in stride. Anelka and Coupet have both badmouthed him in the media, and they’re still being called up. (Or were as of November.) Because for Raymond, people aren’t what’s important. It’s all about the team. And that’s not a completely bad thing.

But all the angst and uncertainty this attitude creates does kind of leave you feeling like you’re living in a house of cards with a windstorm approaching.

So Raymond? Sweetheart? Would it kill you to pick up a phone?