Despite media talk of pressure and unrest, the French coach remains resolutely upbeat ahead of the Irish challenge, reports Matthew Spiro
France coach Raymond Domenech insists he is unconcerned by suggestions that his future could be riding on the outcome of the next two World Cup qualifiers: against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and Cyprus the following Wednesday.
The former under-21 boss is coming under mounting pressure from the French press after a turbulent first three months in charge that has been notable only for three mediocre performances and constant media speculation of unrest within the camp.
"Domenech sous pression" (Domenech under pressure) boomed the headline on the front page of L'Equipe yesterday; but the 52-year-old, speaking from the French training camp at Clairefontaine, appears unaffected by the stories.
"I have just one thing on my mind and that is trying to get six points from the two matches. The rest doesn't interest me," he said. "The speculation is something that you, the journalists, have decided to create. You have your jobs, I have mine, and I'll continue to do mine to the best of my ability."
Domenech has had to make sweeping changes to the France side that reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2004, with five key players - Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram, Marcel Desailly, Bixente Lizarazu and Claude Makelele - all announcing their international retirements. A swathe of young talent has been drafted in but, so far, the results have been poor. A 1-1 friendly draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina was followed by a goalless draw at home to Israel in the first World Cup qualifier, while the 2-0 victory in the Faroe Islands was far from convincing.
The manager, however, believes Saturday's game against the Irish is just what his players need to get their campaign on track.
"They're all excited about it and they're keen to get out onto the pitch to show everyone that they have talent," he announced.
"We're a young team in the early stages of construction but I'm not worried because the players I have are talented."
Domenech added: "The fact that we're back at the Stade de France and playing against quality opponents will inspire my players. I've heard the Irish have bought 25,000 tickets, which leaves about 55,000 for us. I don't know who will sing the loudest but there'll be a great atmosphere in any case."
As well as losing the retired players, Domenech must do without his captain Patrick Vieira, who is suspended; another first-choice midfielder, Benoit Pedretti, who is injured; and David Trezeguet, forced off while playing for Juventus on Sunday because of a recurrent shoulder injury.
Roma's Olivier Dacourt seems certain to take Pedretti's place in an unfamiliar-looking central midfield, with youngsters Rio Antonio Mavuba of Bordeaux and Alou Diarra, who is on loan at lens from Liverpool, battling for the second spot.
Domenech has called up Marseille striker Peguy Luyindula as Trezeguet's replacement but admits the possibility of ending Nicolas Anelka's two-and-a-half-year international exile had crossed his mind. Asked had he considered Anelka, Domenech said: "Yes, of course . . . but I decided to pick Peguy Luyindula instead."
Domenech was keen to take the pressure off Mavuba and Diarra, who have just 45 minutes of international experience between them, saying: "The result will not depend on how either of them play as individuals. The result will depend on how the team perform together, as a unit. If we're going to beat Ireland we'll need the defence, the midfield and the attack to play well together. At times we will need more men in certain areas but that is what team play is about."
The former Lyon and France defender also revealed he would inform the younger players of his selection well in advance.
Criticised in the French press for saying "J'ai raclé les fonds de tiroir" (I have scraped the bottom of the drawer) to find players, Domenech will try to instil confidence in Mavuba and Diarra by telling them they have been selected on merit.
"The most important thing for a new player is that he feels he belongs at this level," he said. "I don't want Diarra to go out there and think 'Dacourt has 20 caps, (Roy) Keane has 80 (sic) and I have none'. Then he will have problems. He must go out there believing that those players are his equal."
