Raymond Domenech (born 24 January 1952 in Lyon) is a former French football player and manager of the French national team. He is of Spanish and Catalan descent.

 

 2006 World Cup

 

On 12 July 2004, Domenech was a surprise choice to succeed Jacques Santini after the country's disappointing exit from UEFA Euro 2004 by losing in the quarter-final match to the eventual tournament-upset winners Greece. He was given the objective by the FFF to reach "at least" the 2006 FIFA World Cup semi-finals.

 Qualifying

 

France struggled in the qualifiers, even though the team was seeded in a group that included the relatively unheralded teams of Israel and Switzerland. The Republic of Ireland were France's main contenders in the group, and looked like contributing to France's exit until Zinédine Zidane returned to inspire France to a 1-0 win at Landsdowne Road, ultimately ending the hopes of the Irish. Domenech had to force Claude Makélélé, Lilian Thuram and Zidane, members of France's "golden generation," out of international retirement to aid the national team to eventually qualify. The general consensus in France, however, was that France was too dated a side to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup, despite the return of their cherished talisman, Zidane.

 Squad selection

 

Domenech's management style has also raised eyebrows amongst players and fans. A keen amateur dramatist and astrologer, Domenech has admitted to distrusting Scorpios, such as Robert Pirès. This led to the choosing of Vikash Dhorasoo who played an important part in qualifying but not in the finals. He later fell out with Dhorasoo after he made a behind the scenes film called "substitute." His decision to leave out FC Barcelona star Ludovic Giuly in favour of Franck Ribéry, and subsequent refusal to explain that decision, left many French players and fans mystified.    Domenech chose Pascal Chimbonda, a low-profile player with no face or international experience, for the squad. Domenech's selection for the France's World Cup squad was further criticised when he publicly announced that Fabien Barthez would start ahead of Olympique Lyonnais goalkeeper Grégory Coupet. This decision was met with derision in the French press and also led to Coupet walking out of the national squad before the tournament, though he was later to return.    His exclusion of Roma back-bone defender Philippe Mexès has also raised a few eyebrows. Mexès, named "Hope of the Year" in 2000 and being a starting defender for Roma since his arrival to the team, still has to participate in a competitive senior tournament under Domenech.

 Finals in Germany

 

His tactical strategies, perceived as "naïve" amongst the French press     and his team's slow start in the 2006 FIFA World Cup (recording draws against Switzerland and South Korea before finally defeating Togo) had seen him placed under further pressure   .

 

However, France turned the corner after the victory against Togo and started to play the passing possession football in which they were renowned for in their triumphs in 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000. They shone in the knockout round, which included impressive victories over favoured Spain, Brazil, and Portugal. France lost the final to Italy in the penalty shootout following a 1–1 draw after extra time.

 

France's successful tournament caused the pressure on Domenech to be lifted slightly. Recalled golden generation veterans Zidane and Thuram earned spots on the All-Star Team, with Zidane being named the tournament MVP. Ribéry's performance made him the potent successor to Zidane as the team's talisman.

 Euro 2008

 

On 27 August 2007, Claude Makélélé's club manager, José Mourinho, stated that Domenech was treating Makélélé "like a slave," since Domenech had called him up for Euro 2008 qualifiers even though Makélélé had announced his retirement after the 2006 World Cup. Domenech responded, "As long as he is performing, he will play. I have the right to pick him."        A 3–0 shutout of Georgia and a 3–1 defeat of Italy in the first Euro 2008 qualifiers took France back to the top of the ELO rankings.