Soccer Portal

It is becoming clear that the coach of France, Raymond Domenech, has lost all control of his World Cup squad. Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, who has been nicknamed “Le Sulk” throughout his career, has been sent home from South Africa, after allegedly directing a barrage of expletives towards Domenech at half time in a recent Group A match. What instigated this incident was the coach apparently calling out Anelka for wandering out of position, and not doing his job properly in the goal less first half of France’s match against Mexico. France went onto lose the match 2-0 leaving them flailing in Group A, with their confidence completely in tatters. To add to the problems, they now have this big public incident of discord hanging over their heads as they head into Tuesday’s final match against host nation South Africa, a match which the French need to win if they are to have any hopes of reaching the second round. Their full destiny is out of their own hands though, because if Mexico and Uruguay draw with each other, then France will be eliminated no matter what they do. France are yet to score in their two matches, both against supposed weaker opposition, and with Anelka’s refusal to offer a public apology to Domenech, he has been sent packing, leaving them even lighter up front.

Anelka, following another good season for Chelsea, had played his way back into the starting eleven after being in the international wilderness under Domenech, and scored in the first leg of their European qualification playoff match against the Republic of Ireland. Anelka also hit three goals in eight qualification appearances for his country, but has now exited the World Cup. It will probably only be a short time before the rest of France follow. The decision by the French Football Federation to tell Raymond Domenech that he was not going to be coaching the national side after the World Cup, seems a little strange in terms of preparation for the most important football tournament on the planet. Where did that leave Domenech in terms of motivation, when most of the country was against him anyway? Where was the reasoning behind this decision? Would it not have been better to simply either let him get on with the job and then terminate him if he failed without remorse, or if they had so little trust in him in the first place (which clearly they didn’t) then why not get rid of him prior to the tournament?

French legend Laurent Blanc is going to take the helm of the good ship France after the World Cup, following a successful domestic and European campaign with club side Bordeaux. His arrival will be welcome, as the nation needs to pick itself up in time for the Euro 2010 qualifiers which start in September. With reports that Domenech had a training ground bust up with Anelka’s Chelsea team mate Florent Malouda, the French appear to be in disarray on and off the pitch, the players not having any respect or dignity for the man who is supposed to be leading them. But it begs the question as to why Domenech singled out Anelka alone in the first place? The whole team needed the hair dryer treatment, and after two very poor, toothless performances, most French fans would probably have preferred to see Domenech packing his bags and heading to the airport ahead of their final match, instead of Anelka.