Domenech set to equal Hidalgo’s record, but can Domenech supplant him in fan’s hearts?

May 29th, 2010 | by: Sarah | View Comments

When Raymond Domenech leads the French team onto the field on Sunday, in their World Cup friendly versus Tunisia, he will equal Michel Hildago’s record of 75 matches in charge of Les Bleus.  But unlike Domenech, Hidalgo is a revered figure in France’s footballing history.  He led the France team of the midfield “magic square” of Michel Plantini, Jean Tigana, Alan Giresse and Luis Fernandez to the 1984  European Championship and the semi-finals of the 1982 World Cup, where France lost to West Germany.  After retiring on June 27, 1984, Hildago had a record of 41 victories, 16 draws and 18 defeats with 139 goals scored and 72 goals conceded in his eight years as the coach of the national team.

While Hidalgo is revered and his time as the national coach is looked upon with much nostalgia- despite his team giving up a 3-1 lead against West Germany to lose on penalties in the World Cup semis (for more on this memorable match, I suggest reading Four Four Two’s essay).  Domenech on the other hand, has not endeared himself to the public in his six year reign and he is regularly jeered when France play in Paris.  The frustration stems from his fascination with astrology, inappropriate marriage proposals and, more recently, his bizarre explanation of  football to women (see video below the jump).

And given Domenech’s reputation with fans and the media, it is surprising that (at least on paper) Domenech’s record isn’t much worse.  Since being hired by the French Football Federation (FFF) in 2004, Raymond has accumulated 41 victories, 22 draws and 11 defeats with 108 goals and 49 conceded. And during Domenech’s reign, the France team made it to the finals of the World Cup in 2006 where they famously lost to Italy in a penalty shootout after Zidane was controversially sent off after headbutting Marco Materazzi.

Domenech’s success is constantly undercut by criticism that he shouldn’t be credited with the success of the Bleus in 2006 because of the crop of talented players he was lucky enough to have at his disposal.  But, clearly both coaches were lucky to have team of great players- Hildago with the “magic square” and Domenech with among others, Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira, Lillian Thuram and Claude Makelele.  But, the disdain for Domenech is clearly related to his tactics as well, and I’m not just talking about his strange drawings in the video above.  I’m referring to the defensive system and formations which imply he isn’t particularly interested in creating beautiful football.  So, even when France wins, the boring playing style can make fans feel like they have lost.

And though Domenech has led the team for two less years and has roughly around the same record- he remains a controversial and arguably hated figure in France (and beyond).  Time will only tell if Domenech’s place in France’s football history will remain as it is now- ridiculed and hated – or if his contributions to the team will be better appreciated once he leaves the team after the World Cup.  Afterall, hindsight is only 20/20- and perhaps one day we will look at the Domenech era with the same nostalgia we have when we reflect on Hildago’s time with France.  But, regardless of how we remember him, after tomorrow Domenech will go down in history (at least for now) as the longest reigning coach in France’s history (in terms of games, not years).  So, how do you think you will remember Raymond Domenech after this summer?