Domenech happy to be unpopular
The soon-to-be 57-year-old took over the reins of Les Bleus in 2004 having previously coached the youth side and won grudging praise when he led the French to the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, where they lost on penalties to Italy. But a dreadful Euro 2008 campaign when the French failed to get out of the group, brought calls for his head and an inept 3-1 loss to Austria at the start of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers raised pressure further.
Domenech’s taciturn nature did not help his cause with players, officials and the French public, but thanks largely to an away draw in Romania and a home win over Serbia, he survived a vote of confidence.
Three months on as he prepares for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania, Domenech insists that little has changed.
“I have never been popular, even as a player that’s never been my concern,” he told L’Equipe. “There are those who do nothing, who say nothing and yet still get by. Me, I get on with it. I have no interest in seeking popularity — I wouldn’t know where to start.
“I can be pleasant and friendly with those I am close to, but as team coach I know I have to be different. I can’t allow myself to be the way I am in everyday life — patient, relaxed, understanding. It’s just not possible.”
Domenech said he had learned one thing in the last year: to watch his words while talking to the press.
The coach, who became the subject of widespread ridicule when he proposed to longtime girlfriend and TV presenter Estelle Denis during an interview seconds after France crashed out of Euro 2008, blasted the press for “baying for my blood” last year.
“I have changed in as much as now I say nothing of interest,” he explained. “Have you listened to me over the last six months? A real brick wall. You can’t imagine how boring it is for me. No more humour, nothing at all. But yes I have changed my PR skills.”
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