By DPA,
Paris : As 1998 World Cup champs France struggle to qualify for the 2010 World Cup football finals, team captain Thierry Henry has strongly criticised the competence of his coach, Raymond Domenech, the daily Le Parisien reported.
According to the report, after Domenech criticised the players following a training session ahead of the Sep 5 qualifying match with Romania, Henry told him that the players were disappointed with his work.
“We have no idea how to play, where to position ourselves, how to organize ourselves. We don’t know what to do. We have no style, no guiding idea, no identity,” Henry was quoted as saying.
Henry also slammed Domenech’s training methods, saying that they bored the players.
“I’ve been on the team for 12 years. I have never been in this situation,” the Barcelona striker said, making it clear that he was speaking for the entire team.
The match with Romania ended in a 1-1 tie and left France four points adrift of group leaders Serbia, whom they face on Wednesday. Even if France win that tie, they will very likely be forced to play off to reach the finals in South Africa.
The publication of the criticism is regarded as grave because of Henry’s stature, in the side and with the public.
The 32-year-old striker has 112 caps and scored a record 49 goals, including the one against Romania Saturday.
Domenech has been a controversial figure since he took over the team in July 2004, both because of his public declarations and the team’s uneven performances.
After France’s reached the final of the 2006 World Cup, which they lost to Italy, former international Willy Sagnol claimed the players themselves had managed the team because Domenech had been overwhelmed.
Contacted by the daily L’Equipe, the French Football Federation refused to comment on the latest controversy.