Pires blasts Domenech

Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires has delivered a blistering broadside at France coach Raymond Domenech.

Pires is one of the few veterans of the 1998 World Cup-winning squad still involved with France – Lilian Thuram, Marcel Desailly, Bixente Lizarazu and Zinedine Zidane all quit after Euro 2004 while Chelsea’s Claude Makelele, not involved in the World Cup success, has also retired.

Pires, in the issue of France Football which will appear tomorrow, did not mince his words.

Pires was recently substituted during France’s 2-0 win over Cyprus in Nicosia and clearly did not appreciate it.

He told France Football: “If the match had taken place at the Stade de France I would not have stayed (in the stadium).

“I would have walked out, vexed, annoyed, destabilised, anything you want.

“When the coach said ‘Daniel (Moreira), you are replacing Robert’ I could not believe it. It’s the first time in my career I have experienced something like this.”

However, Pires admitted he was not at the top of his form, saying: “Physically I am not 100%. In terms of morale I am better. Even very good.”

He compared Domenech, who replaced Jacques Santini after Euro 2004, unfavourably to Arsene Wenger, his boss at Arsenal.

“In England I am lucky to have Arsene Wenger who knows me, who knows where to place me and the others with the best possible chance of success.

“Between us there is a total confidence which does not exist elsewhere. With the national team, that’s not the case yet.”

Referring to Domenech, the Arsenal player said: “Nothing in his attitude leads me to believe he has confidence in me.

“It’s like being at school, being 20 and just starting out as a footballer.

“We need Domenech to give us freedom because he gets on our nerves with his attitudes, his words, his remarks.

“There is turbulence between him and myself. He annoys me. In return, I suppose I annoy him.”

Pires, as a young footballer, worked with Domenech with the French youth team.

He said: “I was with him for four years and I have good memories. But since, I assure you, I am disenchanted.”

However, Pires ruled out following Zidane and company into international retirement.

He said: “I am absolutely not in the mood to do that. I still dream of playing for Les Bleus. I want to go right to the end with this team. I am patient and above all I believe in myself.”