Beautiful adventure for France over: Jacquet

James Whelan

The French side which drew 0-0 with the Republic of Ireland at the weekend was missing much of the élan with which their predecessors won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2004.

The draw with Ireland came on the back of a goalless meeting with Israel and Jacquet believes that, with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Lillian Thuram and Bixente Lizarazu retiring after a poor European Championships, their era of success could be over.

"We have been aware for a while that the beautiful adventure for French football is over," Jacquet, who defended France coach Raymond Domenech.

"The team's performance at the 2002 World Cup was a complete disaster whereas the latest Euro confirmed the end of a cycle.

"Raymond Domenech has had to start from scratch after several key elements of the team decided to stop their international careers.

"Lizarazu, Thuram and Zidane were three leaders and their departure has deprived the French team of considerable experience. Now, apart from Fabien Barthez, Robert Pires, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, the team's players have very little experience."

Despite the current problems, Jacquet is convinced Domenech is the man to lead France back to the top.

"Unless you have been a national coach, you cannot understand what such a responsibility entails. Raymond has the personality and competence for the job," he said

Meanwhile another ex-coach Henri Michel, who was sacked two days after a 1-1 draw in Nicosia in a World Cup qualifier in October 1988, has warned Domenech to "watch his back".

"I was the victim of a conspiracy," complained Michel, currently manager of Ivory Coast. "After the match against Cyprus France were not eliminated. Everything was done behind my back," said Michel.

Michel, who steered France to the semi-finals of the 1986 World Cup, claimed the then president of the French Football Federation, Jean-Fournet Fayard, plotted with Bordeaux chairman Claude Bez to install Michel Platini as manager of the national team.

There were reports in Paris last week - denied by current president Jean-Claude Simonet - that Laurent Blanc would be drafted in if Domenech failed to deliver against Ireland and Cyprus.