Domenech - I made mistakes

France coach takes stock after Euro 2008 failure

By Patrick Haond   Last updated: 5th August 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Domenech - I made mistakes

Domenech: Reproached himself

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Raymond Domenech believes he failed to follow his instincts during France's dismal Euro 2008 campaign.

France crashed out of the tournament at the group phase and there were widespread reports that Domenech would be sacked.

However, the French Football Federation gave the coach its backing to lead Les Bleus through the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Domenech admits he made mistakes in Austria & Switzerland and concedes he did not adhere to his tried and trusted methods with the squad.

Felt blue

"A fortnight after the elimination, I felt the blow," Domenech told L'Equipe. "After taking stock, I felt blue.

"I told myself, 'I did that in a bad way, I didn't do that, maybe I should have done that'. You take stock a little later, you need time to think about it.

"I really believed what worked fine in 2006 would work again in 2008. I didn't bring what I am - the idea to always create problems, create worry, fight against comfort.

"I didn't follow my own nature, it is the thing I reproach myself about the most.

"The players were not very fit as in 2002, there were injured players and two generations with different sensitivities."