Domenech spared the axe

Domenech: Still in charge

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Raymond Domenech will remain as manager of France despite a disastrous showing at Euro 2008.

Les Bleus were among the pre-tournament favourites heading into the European Championship, but limped out at the group stages with just a solitary point and a single goal to show for their efforts.

The embarrassing nature of their exit had led to suggestions that their coach would find it difficult to retain his post.

However, a meeting between France Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes and several other council members on Thursday has resulted in the FFF giving their backing to the coach.

As a result, Domenech will now have the opportunity to guide France through their World Cup qualifiers, with the intention of making the finals in South Africa in 2010.

Emotion

Escalettes admitted that he was not keen to make a knee-jerk reaction despite the public condemnation of Domenech in the wake of France's early exit.

"Domenech's record is not that bad as coach," he said. "It is not catastrophic.

"He qualified us two straight times for a major competition.

"I did not want emotion and passion to get the better of reason."

However, Escalettes admitted that Domenech would face some changes as the "conditions of his mission and the terms of his management" would be redefined, without giving further details.