Raymond Domenech is neither my nor most French supporters' favorite choice for a national team coach. But he's the type of coach who, when it is needed, gets the job done.
That is simply what he has accomplished with France. Well, sort of. France has at least put one foot in the door of South Africa's 2010 World Cup.
All they need is a victory in the playoff stages, which shouldn't be too hard for a strong team to accomplish. But coach Domenech has to prove his worth yet again to his adversaries.
Maybe a spot in the final of next year's World Cup would do the trick. Anything less and Domenech would face the music from the ever-hostile French press and supporter alike.
Domenech did face questions about his coaching performance after France's dismal campaign at last year's European Championship. It led many players, including Thierry Henry, to call for his resignation.
But the French Football Federation held on to Domenech their decision may have been a stroke of luck. Not a stroke of genius, as one might say.
Despite France's recent positive result against Austria, Domenench still does not get much love or fanfare.
Much of that would have to do with the fact that the fans still owe him resentment due to the French team's teetering on the brink of non-qualification.
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