Speculation intensified yesterday about the future of Roger Lemerre as coach of the French national side after a series of bizarre - and sometimes surreal - remarks made by Lemerre to the media in the 24 hours since his side secured qualification for the European Championships.
Equally ambiguous remarks from French Football Federation (FFF) president Claude Simonet have fuelled rumours that all is not well despite the world champions qualifying automatically as Group Four winners.
France's nerve-wracking 3-2 victory over Iceland and Ukraine's bizarre 1-1 draw with Russia in Moscow together ensured France prevailed despite a less-than-convincing campaign.
But Lemerre astonished journalists at the post-match press conference with some ambiguous remarks. He said: "I have fulfilled my mission. After today I am and will remain the biggest supporter of French football and the French team."
Refusing to take questions, the normally genial Lemerre, sombre throughout, then walked out of the conference.
Yesterday he fielded questions but was even more vague about his desire to continue in the post he inherited from Aime Jacquet after France's 3-0 World Cup final victory over Brazil.
Asked if he would still be leading France for their next match, a friendly with Croatia on November 13th, Lemerre said: "God only knows."
He revealed he would be seeking talks with Simonet and when asked how long his "period of reflection" would last said: "I don't know."
On French television yesterday he came out with a quote that would have done justice to former French international Eric Cantona, who often gave poetic answers to journalists questions during his career at Manchester United.
Lemerre said: "If my hat knows who I am voting for I will burn my hat."
Simonet fuelled rumours that all was not well when he replied to Lemerre's earlier remarks, also on a French television programme.
Simonet said wryly: "His hat will have to speak to me and I hope the whole footballing world will find the right response."
Lemerre, Jacquet's right-hand man during the victorious World Cup campaign, is contracted to lead France until July 2000.
