Will a babysitter help Domenech?

December 22nd, 2009 | by: Sarah |

domenech-conteste-la-somme-de-862-000-euros-selon-lui-le-mon

L’Equipe has reported that key French Football figures met in secret last weekend to discuss supporting Domenech in some capacity during the World Cup (and by support, they mean limit and restrict his influence and decision making). The “key French figures” reportedly include Frederic Thiriez, President of the LFP (Ligue de Football Professionel); Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas; Nancy President Jacques Rousselot; and Chief of the UCPF, Jean-Pierre Louvel. Apparently, they are concerned about the form and reputation of the national team and may offer their assistance during the World Cup.

One suggestion is to put a Sports Director (Gerard Houllier) and General Manager (Gervais Martel) in place to act as “guardians” for the French coach. Noël Le Graët, Vice-President of the FFF, has already issued a soft denial, but the matter won’t be officially discussed until January.

My Thoughts?

I think this is hilarious and horrifying. If this comes to pass, they may have functionally fired Domenech…which makes me wonder how much faith the FFF really have in him? This is one of the most humiliating things that could be done to Domenech– could they be trying to make him resign? I have no clue if this will make the situation better or worse. As if the players weren’t confused enough on what to do– now they could possibly have 3 people giving them different directions (if not coordinated properly).

My second thoughts are why would anyone else want to attach their professional reputation to this sinking ship? This situation now allows Domenech to avoid taking responsibility if things do go badly in South Africa.

In other Bleus News…

Rama Yade wants to help the FFF make a “battle plan” to show how much they love France (aka a marketing plan)
Zidane gives some luke warm support for Raymond and the French team
Could you have lived if Zidane hadn’t been penalized for the World Cup and France had gone on to win in 2006? Apparently Zidane couldn’t. Given the response to the Henry incident, I can’t even imagine the backlash…
Les Bleus can still marketable- the FFF just renewed their sponsorship deals
The FFF are trying to scapegoat Chambily as being the reason why France’s reputation is tarnished…
Laurie already reported on France’s friendlies, but take a look at what our opponents are doing to prepare. Personally, I like ours better…
Are you inspired by Escallette’s “State of the Union” speech this past weekend?

France World Cup Blog RSS Feed

jeff

Tutelle – what a great word! And babysitter is a great translation, although I’ve also seen supervisor and guardian!

This coming right on the heels of the Domenech’s concern about the 1.5 hours the council spent discussing him.
jeff

Admittedly I’m tired, but I can’t stop laughing at some of the headlines about whether Domenech will have to serve under a tutelle.
Terry from Naples fl

if he stays his looser does he not get it…..Blanc is ready as an itterim
http://france.theoffside.com/ Thomas

This is hilarious and scary at the same time. Having Houlier would be great, but from articles I’ve read on the Lens Offside, Gervais Martel is a horrendous GM, probably one of the worst in Ligue 1. Keep him as far away as possible. Get Aulas or someone instead.
Terry from Naples fl

domenech est un con sil te plait degage
gaston

why not just get a new coach, why all this trouble. the FFF is making things complicated. this organization needs reform.
Terry from Naples fl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zPwhkfRMcA wow what a great image lol YES TO A NEW COACH they don’t have the balls to fire him so they are going to make it impossible for him….SO THEY THINK, he will NOT quit, YOU READ IT HERE, he will not coach France in SA after the spain game when we loose 2 or 3 nothing he will be fired, 2 late,it’s all ready late at least with someone new we might pull a miracle at the very least we won’t have to hear the same story

I AM PROUD THOUGH WE LOST
THIS TEAM HAS GUTS YET THEY CAN PAAS THE BALL
IF FEEL ITS A TURNING POINT….2 LOOSE AGAIN?

EXCUSE EXCUSE but he is not to blame the federation is FRANCE has no gut’s, donadoni was fired for loosing in the 2nd round of the euros lol
Jean Pierre

tssk tssk just fire him & his dyed euyebrows
Jean Pierre

& fire the whole FFF too
gaston

if ray had any pride he should have resigned after 2006 world cup. ppl would still be singing praise of him, but he decided to continue, if things weren’t worse he didnt resign after euro 08 for the sake of france

ray lost the plot long time ago. the best thing he did was bring back zidane, makelele, thuram from retired and going all the way to the finals [ cough it was zidane]
http://france.theoffside.com/ Thomas

I know people have said this before, but please, please, PLEASE let Laurent Blanc manage the national team. He’s turned Bordeaux from mid table Ligue 1 to champions league dark horse. If he could get the job he would win us the cup.

Also, in case you guys are interested in Ligue 1, we’re doing some “Ligue 1 Best of the Decade” posts on the Ligue 1 Offside, and I’ve already put up a goal of the decade post ( http://france.theoffside.com/french-football/ligue-1-goal-of-the-decade.html ) so come over and vote for the best goal!
Jean-François

Please watch this everyone, these guys made countless videos trying to find some humor in our situation. It’s pretty great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UfActyiXgI&feature=channel
Robert Teuma

I have been a supporter of France ever since i was a 5year old and will continue to give my support to our Mighty equipe…HOWEVER, this coach has to be changed…it’s like in politics, every now & then there has to be some changes….Now why not try some young players for some pre-games try them out….the old players can go to hell for all i care…players like Anelka, he is amazing…but he is old now, we need a faster player..I am happy that we have young players like Ribery and Benzema for example who contribute a very lot to our equipe.
Henry, he is old but i hope this will be his Last World Cup, goodluck
Trezeguet, i hope you won’t play against Italy you traitor
ROBERT TEUMA FROM MALTA
I will be in South Africa to watch the game against the Hosts South Africa
Jeff

Cool, Robert. Welcome to the site. Let’s hear more about this trip.

I think you might be the first Maltese commenter on the site – it looks like a very interesting place.
Jean-François

I just watched the Arsenal Portsmouth game, I really want Nasri on the NT. He played very well today. We need some winter friendlies.
jeff

What about Diaby, JF? I think either of them or both of them could do well for France if they can keep up their form. I agree Nasri was good tonight.
Jean-François

jeff, Diaby has had a good season, and I have seen a lot of improvement, especially in the last few games. Arsenal really has a chance to win the premiership and possibly the Champions’ league. All I know is, it is frustrating to watch these countless French players do so well for their clubs only to sink when playing for the NT.
jeff

Yeah, I find that disappointing too.
Jean-Michel

Diaby has more of a right to be on the NT than Alou Diarra.
Jeff

But, JM, my friends and family in the Bordeaux area are strong supporters of Alou as a Girondin. They rate him as a club player.

They also try to understand why he’s so much less effective for France.
Jean-Michel

Jeff,

I think he definitely serves a purpose on the Girondins team. We’re set on defense when it comes to the NT. We need more attack minded midfielders. Diarra never looks like scoring to me.
jeff

The idea of Alou scoring made me laugh. I don’t see that happening, certainly not very often. But I have a soft spot for holding midfielders, so if he could translate his best club form into the national side, I wouldn’t mind seeing him get a run.
Jean-Michel

Would you pick him over Toulalan or Lass?
jeff

Probably not, although I can’t be sure what’s going on with Lass sometimes. His performance against Ireland was one of the worst I’ve seen.
Jean-Michel

Yeah. He made me a bit nervous at times. Toulalan is steady. Wish he would breakthrough and score a goal already.
Doumé

A little bit unrelated, although it’s about a French soccer player…
I just saw the movie “Looking for Eric” starring none other than Eric Cantona. Has anybody seen it? I recomend it, just for the footage of his best stuff, but also because it’s an original idea. Cantona does quite a good acting job. Altogether a good moment.
Happy 2010 from Budapest!