Much-criticised France coach Raymond Domenech will equal Euro 1984 winning handler Michel Hidalgo’s record of being in charge of the national side when they play Tunisia in a friendly here on Sunday.
The 58-year-old — who guided France to a penalty shootout defeat in the 2006 World Cup finals by Italy but was ridiculed after France crashed out of the first stage of Euro 2008 — will be in the dugout for the 75th time since he replaced Jacques Santini after Euro 2004.
Unlike Domenech, 77-year-old Hidalgo is a revered figure in French football, having brought together the great midfield or the ‘magic square’ as it was known — orchestrated by Michel Platini, with Jean Tigana, Alain Giresse and Luis Fernandez which culminated in the Euro ’84 title hosted in France.
Overall Hidalgo — who came within a penalty shootout of the 1982 World Cup final when the then West Germany came from 3-1 down in extra-time to win on penalties — had a record of 41 victories, 16 draws, 18 defeats with 139 goals scored and 72 conceded. Hidalgo’s reign lasted from March 27, 1976, to June 27, 1984.
Domenech, who is the first French coach to take the team to three successive major championships, has an overall record of 41 victories, 22 draws and 11 defeats with 108 goals scored and 49 conceded according to French Football Federation statistics.
Domenech, who is standing down after the World Cup, has been in charge since July 12, 2004. — AFP