Entering the Post-Domenech Era

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Well, there has to be a silver lining somewhere, and it has to be that we will no longer have to endure the likes of a certain manager whose heavy bias when it came to team selection and inflexibility when it came to tactics very well cost us a brilliant opportunity to win a title.

Now while I'm certain that the FFF will decide in the coming days who our manager will be, perhaps it's best at this juncture to start looking what our team will be in the years ahead, as that this one thing we can do. And the silver lining is that we have a lot brilliant players coming up to step in the shoes of those who were a bit too long in the tooth at this tournament.

I'm going to down a position-by-position breakdown of what I think our team should, and will be when World Cup qualifiers begin.

Gardien de but: Grégory Coupet has likely seen the only major tournament in which he will feature, as I happen to believe goalkeeping will be one of the biggest strengths we'll have. The obvious, and best choice, I believe to replace the Lyonnais is Sébastien Frey of Fiorentina, who in the past couple of seasons has elevated his game to the caliber that one can argue he is among the top 5 keepers in the world. Of course, the impressive thing about this position is our depth, as Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda would start, I would think, for 95% of the national teams out there.

I'm tired and bummed out, so I'll continue this in little bit, though I wanted to start off this thread in order to be happy/optimistic again, as I truly believe that under a different manager, as well as players who have quite many less miles on their feet, we can be a strong contender once again. :)

I would welcome any of you to contribute ideas or cover other positions as well, as despite our completely cauchemardesque account at this tournament, we have quality, many of whom, such as Hugo Lloris and Jérémy Ménez, were not even at this tournament, although we can expect them to make an impact very soon.

[SportBoy333]

Who besides Makalele and Thuram are finished ?

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

If I was sélectionneur, Coupet, Govou, Boumsong, there'd be others if we include those who weren't in the team (Saha).

[SportBoy333]

I totally agree with Govou not returning. How do you feel about Clerc/Sagnol ? Clerc wasnt bad today but Sagnol isnt washed up yet. Clerc is horrible at going forward. His passes were way off.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

I haven't thought much about that position, though I agree that before judging Sagnol, we have to see what his form will be like when he returns to action this season (he was out the whole year almost during this term). Of course, Bakary Sagna would be one guy who could contribute immediately. As for Clerc, he has improved during these past couple of seasons, but if Deschamps takes over, it will likely be he would want a back who could bring more offensively.

[Reazzurro90]

Mes cheres amis francais, je suis tres content de la victoire de l'Italie, mais j'espere que tout va bien avec Franck Ribery, parce qu'il est un grande joueur.
Et bien, je n'ai pas de doute que vous retournerez pour le mundial 2010.

Bonnes chance, amis francais, j'espere que l'imbecillite' des nos supporter morira aujourd'hui.

(I know I had no accents, but I cannot add them on my laptop, I hope my French was clear enough).

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Buddy, I think your French was more than good enough, and as I have a bit of Italian blood in me, all the best against Spain in the quarterfinals, though as I've only covered goalkeepers, there would be no doubt you happen to have the best in the world in Buffon, who definitely came up big again, even if it was only a couple of opportunities that we challenged him with. My compliments to De Rossi as well, not on the goal, but on the performance he had being in command of central midfield, as he is the type of midfielder anyone would want in their team.

[afar]

Reazzurro90 --- wonderful sportsmanship man; kudos to you.

As for all French fans, I hope Ribery is okay soon. For me, he is among the top 3 players in the world. You all will be back.

[GrosMoulin]

Your french is better than my english is, Reazzuro.

A few names to enter the post-Domenech Era :

Coach = Didier Deschamps

Sagna, Mexès, Ben Arfa.

[Reazzurro90]

Your french is better than my english is, Reazzuro.

A few names to enter the post-Domenech Era :

Coach = Didier Deschamps

Sagna, Mexès, Ben Arfa.

Merci, j'aime etudier le francais au lycee. Je ne veux pas le perdre quand je demenage en Italie, je continuerai a l'etudier.

There is little doubt that the French will bounce back. I was impressed by Benzema today, had he scored, it could have changed the outlook of the rest of the game.

@Afar
Thanks.

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Yes, I think we all expect the 3 GrosMoulin mentioned to definitely be a big part of the team. If we do a little transfer table based on the question Sportboy asked, which was, who'd be finished after the tournament, and who would immediately replace them, I think it would look like this.

Thuram ------> Mexès
Coupet ------> Lloris
Makélélé ------> Flamini
Govou ------> Ben Arfa
Boumsong ------> Sagna (I know Sagna is not a center back, and we have a brilliant one who's coming up in Mamadou Sakho, except he is a season away, so in the meanwhile, to make a quick replacement, I've done this, as we're a little bereft of center backs who are actually ready immediately)

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

Well, it appears Sagnol has decided to retire, which is a bit sad, as I believe he isn't finished yet, though it's apparent, I think, that either Sagna or Clerc will be starting at right back come the qualifiers. Given that it's unlikely that our sélectionneur then will be as biased toward Lyon, I think Sagna has the edge.

[zizouForlife]

all the 1998 winners should consider retiring especially viera, thuram, makelele, henry, and all those reaching the 30's who are in poor form ( i wouldn't gaurente) any of them making the 2010 squard if france qualifies, and if their in the squard bench is the least they will get. only few we can be allowed to return to help during the qualification.

what france lacks is good flexible coach. now that zidane is gone, we see domenech true colors of caoching style. but we couldn't see that because the wins influenced by zidane. domenech is victim of his own stratergy, for someone who is defensive minded he left france best defenders, someone who always talks about talented youth played with old players who where ineffective

france should look for a caoch like dunga(the brazillian), an inspiration man, someone who can telll them they can do it, (france lacked enthuisiasism in this tournament) coach who doesn't depend on enstablished player, but focuses on improving the talents.

domenech saw it coming but couldn't do anything about

[SportBoy333]

Well, it appears Sagnol has decided to retire



This is some what of a shock I think.

[joga_bonito]

"Old" players I would like to see back are Henry and Trezeguet rather than Anelka and Gomis.

Anelka should never play for Les Bleus again..what a waste.

[joga_bonito]

all the 1998 winners should consider retiring especially viera, thuram, makelele, henry, and all those reaching the 30's who are in poor form ( i wouldn't gaurente) any of them making the 2010 squard if france qualifies, and if their in the squard bench is the least they will get. only few we can be allowed to return to help during the qualification.

what france lacks is good flexible coach. now that zidane is gone, we see domenech true colors of caoching style. but we couldn't see that because the wins influenced by zidane. domenech is victim of his own stratergy, for someone who is defensive minded he left france best defenders, someone who always talks about talented youth played with old players who where ineffective

france should look for a caoch like dunga(the brazillian), an inspiration man, someone who can telll them they can do it, (france lacked enthuisiasism in this tournament) coach who doesn't depend on enstablished player, but focuses on improving the talents.

domenech saw it coming but couldn't do anything about

Dunga has been HORRIBLE as coach probably second worst after Domenech. Ever since he took over, they had more games in which they look horrible than games they look good.

[SportBoy333]

Thuram ------> Mexès
Coupet ------> Lloris
Makélélé ------> Flamini
Govou ------> Ben Arfa
Boumsong ------> Sagna

Mexes, YES. I'd prefer Frey over Lloris. Its his turn and Lloris is still young. Flamini, YES.
Govou really isnt that great but ben arfa needs to be a regular starter for a club before he takes that spot. Sagna, I'd prefer a real CB instead so keep Boumsong around for a little while longer.

[Hendrik]

This is some what of a shock I think.
He's past it. He won't cut it any longer at this level unfortunately. The last big injury has nothing to do with it, he's been fit since December and even before he looked below average. :(

[SuperSebGrimaldi]

I think Henry and Vieira have something to prove now, though we'll see. Agreed about Domenech, though, and interesting is the mention of Dunga as his counterpart in the 1998 World Cup final was a certain Didi Deschamps.

In any event, it has been confirmed this will be the end for Makélélé, Thuram and Sagnol. Sagnol is the one I have some regrets over, as I think he could offer something even now, but Bakary Sagna is already at his level, if not more, so it's alright.

I would like to see Henry and Vieira stay as who would be captain if both retire? I know the knee-jerk thing to do is to throw everyone out off the bus, but doing that is often not the best solution, though the best driver (Domenech) has to go, obviously. We don't want someone who doesn't know how to play at a speed other than first gear. :)

[SportBoy333]

Anelka should never play for Les Bleus again..what a waste.

I think as long as he keeps playing for a "big club" he'll keep getting call ups. When he came on today he did absolutely nothing.