February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Raymond Domenech, a French football federation insider who has spent the last 11 years developing young talent, was named Santini’s successor on Monday. He received a four-year contract subject to results.
The 52-year-old former international defender beat out Jean Tigana, who most recently coached Fulham, and ex-Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc for the As a player, Domenech was a no-nonsense fullback with Lyon who earned notoriety as a 16-year-old by breaking an opponent’s leg with a tackle in his first match. He was capped eight times by France from 1973-79.
Like Irish boss Brian Kerr, who he’ll face in the World Cup qualifiers, Domenech cut his teeth working with youth players –specifically the Under-21 squad, which he has coached from 1993 until now.
He steered the U-21se to the semifinals of the European Championships in 1994 and ’96 and to the final in 2002. His other coaching accolade was winning the Second Division title with Lyon before taking charge of the U-21s.
As youth coach, Domenech helped nurture such French stars as Zinedane Zidane, Louis Saha, Claude Makelele, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Djibril Ciss