France stand firm behind Domenech

France coach Raymond Domenech has been handed a vote of confidence by the French Football Federation (FFF) despite a disappointing group stage exit at UEFA EURO 2008™. The 56-year-old remains under contract as France coach until the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals following a meeting with the FFF board on Thursday to decide his future. A statement released by the FFF said: "Following a proposal from president Jean-Pierre Escalettes, the board have decided to keep Raymond Domenech in his position as national team coach to prepare for the World Cup 2010 with changes to be made in his mission and the way the national team will be managed." Disappointing showing Les Bleus bowed out of UEFA EURO 2008™ with just one point, after drawing with Romania and losing to both the Netherlands and Italy in Group C, with some suggesting that former Under-21 coach Domenech would not survive the summer. Domenech succeeded Jacques Santini as France coach four years ago, taking them to the final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where they lost to Italy on penalties. France face Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, the Faroe Islands and Romania in World Cup qualifying Group 7. source