The Confidence Coach's Sports Psychology Articles
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The Confidence Coach's monthly Sports Psychology Article in 442 magazine. This article was written after France re-appointed coach Raymond Domenech, after a poor showing at Euro' 2008.
France - No Sense Of Purpose
'So, despite a shocking European Championships, French coach Raymond Domenech will remain in charge of the national team, until the 2010 World Cup, at least. "Domenech's record is not that bad as coach. It is not catastrophic," said French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes. "He qualified for a major competition two straight times. I did not want emotion and passion to get the better of reason."
Well, the French can only hope that their head coach has learned some lessons from Euro 2008; lessons he singularly failed to learn after World Cup 2006. If Domenech was looking for continuity he needed to take into account that, without Zidane, there was no inspiration and no one to accept responsibility.
Experienced professionals like Henry and Gallas seemed to shrink from the challenge, to lurk in the shadows. This was a French team that had no real sense of purpose. It was a team that seemed flat, lacking invention, spontaneity and energy. And, worse, a team that seemed over coached. While, curiously, at the same time, being under prepared.
By the time of their critical, must-win, third group match against Italy, the French had appeared to give up. They played without style or substance and with little sense of purpose.
Ultimately, of course, Raymond Domenech must be judged by performances and results and, having publicly criticized his players, must reflect on his own role in the team‘s failure. He told them that they must be big enough to wear the shirt. Well, there is no doubt that the coach was correct in his assessment, although it was a sure sign that all was not well in the French camp if they did not know this already.
By speaking to a wider audience Domenech makes it evident that his players were simply not listening to him. If they were, he would have known that by keeping his criticism ‘in house’ they would respond positively and, so galvanised, put in performances worthy of their status as World Cup runners-up.
In football parlance, he appeared to have lost the dressing room. And whatever he did seemed to make no difference. This was a group that was ready for a vacation. Whatever respect they had held for the head coach had dissipated. France were lifeless and lacking in spirit
Sometimes, players will let problems escalate, knowing that it can bring an end to the coach's tenure. But, if that was the case, it was a self-defeating strategy here. This French team could have delivered much more than they produced.
But to have done that, they would have required some frank talking and an understanding of where the problem lay. Some frank talking was required to lift the gloom that seemed to pervade this team. Whether it was players not getting on with each other, or them not trusting the manager’s methods and selection strategy, there was something not quite right about the group.
Surely, someone must have seen this disaster coming in the pre-tournament training camp? Signs of disaffection are hard to disguise. There must be indications that all was not well; poor body language; negative training attitudes; lack of communication: an experienced coach would immediately spot problems, unless they reside within himself. In any event, trouble brewed.
And it happened on Raymond Domenech's watch. With top players, 10% either way makes the difference. These players, coached at great clubs, understand the subtle processes which lead from success to failure and back again.
It was, ultimately, Domenech’s task to prepare this team, to make the transition from World Cup final to European Champions; to provide that extra 10%. The project failed, failed miserably. This was not a team motivated and playing for the coach. And they didn't seem too bothered who noticed. Nevertheless, he gets another chance. But does he deserve it?'
Martin Perry: Confidence Coaching & Sports Psychology - 0044 (0) 77897 56425
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