Raymond Domenech has received a stay of execution after it was announced he will remain as coach of France.
Les Bleus' poor performances at Euro 2008, a tournament which they exited at the group stage, prompted a meeting of the French Football Federation's (FFF) Federal Council in Paris on Thursday.
Domenech's future was top of the agenda but FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes announced the coach will stay on in the job.
Immediately in the wake of France's poor showing at Euro 2008 it was widely touted that Domenech's four-year tenure would be brought to an end within days.
The 2006 World Cup finalists crashed out following defeats at the hands of Holland and Italy and a goalless draw with Romania, scoring just once in the process.
The controversial coach was already under immense pressure due to his persistence on making squad selections based on astrology, and had only been saved from the axe in 2006 by a sudden change in fortunes during the World Cup which saw them advance all the way to the final, where they were beaten on penalties by Italy.
It could be that the support Domenech has received from members of his squad and influential figures such as Michel Platini saved him this time.
But for every high-brow supporter Domenech had a critic.
Former France striker Christophe Dugarry has been damning in his assessment of the coach's abilities, as have fellow former internationals Eric Cantona, Marcel Desailly and Christian Karembeu.
Domenech's critics had called for him to be replaced by France's World Cup-winning captain from 1998, Didier Deschamps, who is currently out of work following spells at Monaco and Juventus.
But the FFF's decision means he is now free to lead Les Bleus in their World Cup qualifiers.
