Domenech refuses to panic

France boss under mounting pressure after Austria defeat

By Patrick Haond   Last updated: 8th September 2008

Domenech refuses to panic

Domenech: Difficult weekend

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Raymond Domenech is refusing to allow the mounting pressure he finds himself under affect his job.

The under-fire coach saw his side crash to a 3-1 defeat in Austria in their opening 2010 World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Individual errors cost Les Bleus dear, with Roma defender Philippe Mexes the main culprit.

Despite the result in Vienna seemingly pushing him closer to the exit, Domenech is refusing to panic and insists his squad remains united in their pursuit of a place at the finals in South Africa.

No problem

"Philippe is upset, but he had quite a good match," he told TF1.

"He passed the ball well and put in some good challenges and I didn't see a problem.

"On two occasions, the first goal and the penalty, he was involved and he knows it. It will not do us any good to destroy him or destroy the group as a whole."

Mistakes

While Domenech's post becomes under threat, the chairman of the French Football Federation has given his backing to the national boss.

"On a technical level the team is strong. We just made defensive mistakes (against Austria)," Noel Le Graet told L'Equipe.

"It is not a disaster, the players just have to show solidarity. Important players have left and you can't become a team capable of playing in a World Cup final overnight.

"It seems everyone is concerned with what will happen to Domenech, while there is an important match against Serbia coming up on Wednesday.

"The fans are turning up to call for Domenech's head rather than the football. It is becoming indecent."