Raymond Domenech

Born: January 24, 1952, Lyon, France

Clubs (as player): Lyon (1969-77), Strasbourg (1977-1981), PSG (1981-82), Bordeaux (1982-84) FC Mulhouse (1984-88)

Clubs (as manager): FC Mulhouse (1985-87), Lyon (1988-93), France 'Espoirs' (1993-2004), France (2004 - )

National team: France (8 appearances as a player, 35 as manager*)
* as of March 23, 2007

Although most people will know Raymond Domenech as national coach of 'Les Bleus', few outside France will realise that he also enjoyed a successful stint as a player before embarking on an equally victorious career as a manager.

Prior to making his first step on the coaching ladder with FC Mulhouse in 1985, Domenech earned himself a reputation as a touch-tackling and hard-working defender who, as well as winning three trophies with different teams, represented his country on eight occasions.

In the colours of Lyon

Born in Lyon, Domenech spent the majority of his career with home-town team joining them in 1969 at the age of 17. He spent eight years at the Stade Gerland winning the French Cup once (1973) and reaching the final twice (1971 and 1976). The same year that he lifted the French Cup he was also awarded his first cap for his country with a full 90 minutes against the Republic of Ireland in a World Cup qualifier. On the domestic front, Lyon finished third in Ligue 1 in 1974, the first time in their history, a feat they repeated the following year. In February 1976, mid-way through his final season with 'Les Gones', Domenech saw coach Aimé Mignot replaced by a certain Aimé Jacquet – the first of two occasions he would play under the future World Cup winner.

Playing for Strasbourg

In 1977 Domenech moved to recently promoted Strasbourg. The following year the Alsatian club finished third in Ligue 1 and spectacularly beat Nantes and Saint-Etienne to the title in 1979. It was a remarkable achievement and one which delivered Domenech's first top-flight championship title.

With PSG

A brief stint at PSG followed in 1981/82 before Domenech rejoined Jacquet at Bordeaux for the beginning of the 1982/83 season. There, the defender continued his winning ways lifting his, as well as his team's, second league title (on goal difference ahead of Monaco) at the end of the 1983/84 campaign. From there, he decided to take the drop to Ligue 2 and spent four subsequent years at FC Mulhouse where he operated as a player/manager. They were his first steps as a coach and some of Jacquet's magic had obviously rubbed off on him as he helped bring Mulhouse to four consecutive Ligue 2 play-offs. Unfortunately, he was unable to haul them in to Ligue 1 but his reputation as an astute tacitician had gathered speed and in 1988, Lyon and Jean-Michel Aulas came calling. Stuck in Ligue 2 following their relegation from the top-flight in 1983, Lyon were desperate to return to Ligue 1 and had tried but failed on a number occasions to reach their goal. However, the employment of Domenech helped turn the balance in their favour and with their former player at the helm, Lyon reached Ligue 1, via a win over Mulhouse in the play-offs, at the first time of asking.

In his second coaching role with former club Lyon

A further four years at Lyon, where he managed respectable finishes of eighth, fifth, 16th and 14th, followed and in 1993 France asked him to replace Marc Bourrier as coach of the national Under-21 team, the 'Espoirs'. Domenech began his 11-year stint by leading his young team to third place in both the 1994 and 1996 UEFA Youth Championships and went one better in 2002 when France finished as beaten finalists. A second Toulon tournament win in 2004 was his final contribution as on July 12, 2004 he was announced as Jacques Santini's replacement as coach of the full national team.

As national coach, a role he occupies today

His reign began hesitantly with seven draws in his first nine matches in charge but after a settling-in period Domenech steered France to the top of their World Cup qualifying group with five wins and five draws. In Germany he became the second coach (behind Aimé Jacquet) to lead France to the final of the World Cup but was unable to repeat the feat his mentor achieved eight years previously with a defeat, on penalties, to Italy in Berlin on July 9, 2006. Nevertheless, his employers kept faith with him and have handed him the responsibility of ensuring that France reach the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland next summer. Defeat by Scotland in October dealt France only their second competitive loss since the summer of 2004. However, they remain in the hunt and the determined Domenech is unlikely to throw in the towel. His success rate is such that he is due some silverware soon and he will no doubt have his eyes set on the Henri Delaunay trophy awarded to the winners of the UEFA European Championship winners next summer...