Lemerre pays the price for Korean failure

Roger Lemerre has been sacked as France manager following his side's dismal performance at the World Cup.

"Lemerre has been dischaged of his mission as coach by the federal council of the French football federation," said FFF president Claude Simonet.

The 1998 World Cup winners had a cataclysmic campaign in Korea - failing to score a single goal and picking up just one point from three group games.

Lemerre, who had succeeded the victorious 1998 World Cup coach Aime Jacquet, led Les Bleus to victory at Euro 2000 - with a golden goal victory over Italy - and had been offered him a new two-year deal in May.

Lemerre's replacement is expected to be named before the end of the month but he will remain as technical director of the FFF.

Lyon coach Jacques Santini, former international Alain Giresse, currently coaching in Morocco, and Under 21 coach Raymond Domenech are believed to be the principal contenders for the vacant post.