Under-fire Domenech 'happy guillotine no longer exists'

Published on Wednesday 10 September 2008 00:15

EMBATTLED France coach Raymond Domenech claimed his country's media are conducting a witchhunt against him.

"You like the smell of blood," Domenech told reporters as he prepared for tonight's World Cup qualifier against Serbia in the wake of his side's shock 3-1 defeat by Austria on Saturday.

"I'm happy the guillotine does no longer exist, otherwise some of you would have been delighted to send me there," he added. "I didn't kill anybody. Maybe if I had, I would have benefited from mitigating circumstances." Criticism of Domenech escalated after his team opened their qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup with their defeat in Vienna. French media have speculated the abrasive Domenech would lose his job if his side failed to beat Serbia at Stade de France tonight.

The 56-year-old, who has been under pressure since France were knocked out of Euro 2008 after scoring just one point and one goal from three group matches, has had a difficult relationship with some players and the media for years.

French Football Federation (FFF) president Jean-Pierre Escalettes decided in July that Domenech would stay on despite his team's Euro 2008 flop but said the coach needed to get results.

"I'd like to remind you that we have played just one qualifier," added Domenech. "There are still 27 points to play for."