Krong Angkor

French mull post-Domenech era - as 8-year-old stakes claim

PARIS (AFP) - The head of the French Football Federation (FFF), Jean-Pierre Escalettes, said Friday the organisation was already mulling who would succeed coach Raymond Domenech, whose contract expires after the World Cup.

"Out of respect, this should be done before the World Cup," said Escalettes after a meeting of the FFF federal council.

"I thought it was my duty not to be a hypocrite, as everyone knows what will happen after the World Cup," he added in allusion to the long-held expectation that Domenech will be dispensed with after this summer's finals in South Africa.

Domenech took the French to the 2006 final - lost on penalties to Italy - but a poor Euro 2008 showing placed him under pressure and qualification for South Africa was only achieved after a controversial playoff win over Ireland, courtesy of Thierry Henry's blatant handball.

"You have to get on with things in advance - you can't choose a new coach in July. And don't say this destabilises the players," Escalettes told reporters.

"The players have to know - it's better the president of the Federation says that five or six months before the start of the World Cup rather than a fortnight before the kickoff," he added.

The FFF is now set to designate a successor in April or May.

Among those in the frame are Bordeaux boss Laurent Blanc and Marseille's Didier Deschamps (Marseille), who were teammates in the side which lifted the 1998 World Cup.

Former international Luis Fernandez, who won Euro 84 with Les Bleus, has already staked his claim.

So too, has Nicholas, an eight-year-old boy whom Escalettes revealed had made a written application.

"I received a well-written letter from an eight-year-old putting himself forward as national coach," a smiling Escalettes said.

"On the back of the letter he added a postcript in which he wrote this is the team I would field' and laid out his selection."