Domenech denies point’s ultimatum

August 27, 2008

Domenech has denied claims that his bosses have demanded at least 5 points from Frances first three qualifying games for the 2010 World Cup.

“If I had thought like that in 2004, I would have left after two matches,”

“Qualifying is the main thing.”

“I don’t want five points, I want nine points from three matches. The idea is to have the maximum.”

Domenech has been under intense pressure after the dismal performance of the French team at this year’s Euro tournament. Domenech survived a vote of confidence by the narrowest of margins but the French Football Federation have made it clear that they will not accept and more slip-ups.

When Domenech was asked about if he had been given a point’s ultimatum he said: “Not at all. This is the first I’ve heard about it. Nobody has said to me: ‘You can start again but you will have a knife under your throat.’

Talking about Viera he said : “He wants to be part of the team and to go with us to South Africa,”

“I want him with us, but I want the real Patrick Vieira, the one I know, not a weak and injured player.”

“I told him: ‘Forget about dates and don’t fix objectives, it is your body that will tell you if you are in a good shape or not.’”

Domenech has also not ruled out bringing Makelele back into the squad even though the player yet again retired from International football after Euro 2008.

“The French shirt is important and he knows it. He knows what I’m looking for and he is still open. He says: ‘At my age I don’t have the power’, but he is still happy when I call him.”

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