Raymond Domenech

France keeps faith with Domenech

Last Updated: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 | 11:02 AM ET Comments0Recommend5

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Raymond Domenech helped France reach the World Cup final in 2006 when it lost to Italy in a penalty shootout. (Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Raymond Domenech has once again escaped the guillotine.

French Football Federation (FFF) president Jean-Pierre Escalettes revealed Wednesday that Domenech, under fire after a recent run of poor results by the French national team, will remain as the side's coach.

"Raymond Domenech will remain in charge until 2010 under the terms of his contract," Escalettes told reporters.

Nineteen of the FFF council's 20 members voted in favour of keeping Domenech, said Escalettes.

Domenech's days as coach of France appeared to be numbered after Les Bleus crashed out in the first round of Euro 2008 this summer without winning a game.

Instead, the FFF gave him a reprieve, under the condition that results improve.

France currently sits fourth with four points in its qualifying group for the 2010 World Cup, behind Serbia and Lithuania (six points) and Austria (four points). Romania also has four points in the tightly contested division.

The group winner will automatically qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, while the second-place team will have to win a two-game playoff against a team from one of the other qualifying groups to qualify.

France got off to a rough start, including a shocking 3-1 loss to Austria, and last weekend it had to battle back to earn a 2-2 draw against Romania.

France still faces an uphill battle in order to qualify, but the FFF is confident the team can rebound under the 56-year-old Domenech.

"Something has happened and it would be criminal to change (the coach) now that we're on the right track," Escalettes said.

"We believe that an important step has been taken towards rebuilding the team. Now Raymond must be left in peace. There is work to be done, notably in defence, but the players showed that they could play with enthusiasm and that's what we expected from them."

The French media have criticized Domenech relentlessly since Euro 2008, but several marquee French players, including Thierry Henry and Franck Ribéry, have publicly backed the coach.