FIFA 2010 World Cup: France Coach Domenech turns to the stars
France is in big trouble in the FIFA 2010 World Cup. After, they faced tough resistance in a relatively easier group; they drew their first match against Uruguay and lost the match against Mexico. The worst part is that the team has yet to score a goal in the tournament.
The real problem is that the French team is star-studded, but has failed miserably to perform in the tournament, despite the fact that they were runners-up in Germany in 2006. There are the likes of Ribery, Anelka, Gallas, Henry and Evra in the team, but the team lacks something. This is where the coach has to play his part, and Domenech has failed the French fans and has busted their hopes.
Raymond Domenech is being vilified by the press at home and abroad, and his credentials as the French coach are constantly being questioned. A local newspaper said, Domenech should be ashamed of his team, and the supposedly big names, like Anelka, Ribery and Gallas, in the French team. The newspaper also claimed that the egos of the players are too high and their performances are very low.
There is no doubt that Raymond Domenech has led France to many successes and has led the team into the finals of the previous World Cup. But, his credentials are weakened because he has never won anything for the country. Also, he has failed to shine at all in this World Cup, and also had a tough campaign in the Qualifiers for the World Cup. He is also a kind of person, who believes in superstitions and astrological phenomenon, a trait very uncommon in the 21st century. Due to his beliefs, he refused to include the Scorpions in his team, and that is why Pires was also left out of the squad.
Domenech found himself in deep water just before the World Cup, at the eve of the announcement of the squads. He did not include Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema and Arsenal’s Samir Nasri in the squad. This led to a huge uproar in the French National media, and Domenech’s choices came under severe criticism, at home and abroad. Benzema and Nasri both had very good records at the club level and they had it all to be included in the squads. Now, at the World Cup, due to his poor choices, Domenech is facing problems in getting good substitute strikers and midfielders.
To top all of that, Nicholas Anelka was sent home, after a scuffle with the manager in the players’ dressing room, during the half time of the match against Mexico. There is no doubt about the need for the players to disciplined, and such a reaction from any player, despite his talents, should be discouraged. But, Anelka returned to France, leaving the team in further turmoil. Now, there is Gignac, Cisse, Govou and Henry in the squad, but all of them are facing real problems in finding their form at this World Cup. Domenech needs to do a lot of thinking before the final group game, as his team’s fate would lie on his decisions.
One also has some pity for Raymond Domenech, as he finds himself between the devil and the deep blue sea. To add insult to injury, the French players threatened to boycott the next match against South Africa, because of the Domenech’s reaction towards Nicholas Anelka. French Captain, Evra, led the players to a strike during one of the training sessions, and he was also found absent in one of the major press conference. In that press conference, Domenech admitted that the team is facing a lot of problems and that the players might boycott the next game. This whole episode is a mockery of football and the French Nation. But, in reality, it is the failure of Domenech as a coach, as he has failed miserably to establish his influence upon his players.
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