Domenech to continue with Les Bleus

Raymond Domenech has been given the green light to continue as France coach.

Domenech's position has been under heavy scrutiny following his team's poor showing at Euro 2008, where they finished bottom of their group, and an inauspicious start to their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

But following today's meeting of the French Football Federation's federal council, he has been told he will remain in his post.

FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes confirmed the decision at the federation's headquarters in central Paris, with Domenech's mandate now being to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa.

Escalettes told reporters: 'Club France has been followed by the federal council.

'Gervais Martel has set out the proposals of Club France, in his capacity as spokesperson, to the federal council and has asked for the renewal of confidence in Raymond Domenech and to let him continue his mission to the 2010 World Cup.

'The France team hasn't had a great start to their qualification campaign. It is an adequate start.

'If we add in the friendly matches, the overall assessment is a lot more positive.'

France scored just one goal in three matches in the Euros, where they finished bottom of a pool that included Italy, the Netherlands and Romania.

Following a friendly win in Sweden, Domenech's position looked untenable after the 3-1 defeat to Austria in France's first match of their World Cup qualifying campaign.

But Les Bleus reacted well by defeating Serbia 2-1 four days later and Domenech was praised for inspiring his side to come back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Romania in Constanta on Saturday.

That gave France four points from their first three group matches.

The 3-1 friendly win over Tunisia on Tuesday gave him even more breathing space ahead of Wednesday's FFF meeting.

Escalettes continued: 'What tipped the balance strongly in favour of Raymond Domenech was what happened in the second half in Romania.

'Something happened. The team did not give up. The coach knew what to say when it had to be said.

'There was a revolt and something happened. There is a unity among the players who want to go to the World Cup with their coach.

'It would be criminal to stop what we have started. An important step has been made in the reconstruction of this France team.'

A number of former France internationals have called for Domenech's head but the current crop of Les Bleus players have remained loyal to their coach.

Thierry Henry, who has captained France in recent games, said after the Romania match: 'He is our coach, he has been there for a long time and he has experienced difficult moments.

'But we are with him. We played for him.'

According to L'Equipe, 19 of the 20 FFF board members voted in favour of retaining Domenech in a secret vote at Wednesday's meeting. One member abstained.