Domenech's head still on the block

Published on Friday 12 September 2008 00:07

FRANCE'S under-fire coach Raymond Domenech earned himself a stay of execution after his side's 2-1 win over Serbia in their 2010 World Cup qualifier.

However, Domenech, who may have been axed had France failed to get back on track after a 3-1 defeat by Austria in their opening game, will again have his job on the line in the next Group 7 match, against Romania in Constanta on 11 October.

"We will wait for the third match to make an assessment on this case," French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes said after Wednesday's game at Stade de France.

The FFF decided in July that Domenech would stay on despite his team's shock group-stage exit from Euro 2008, but made it clear the coach was now under scrutiny and needed results.

At the post-match press conference on Wednesday, Domenech looked far from relaxed. "I don't speak your language," he told a Serbian journalist who asked him, in French, why Henry and Anelka had ignored the coach while celebrating their goals. "Another question, please."