In what is sure to be one of the most amusing/unlikely news items of the day, Raymond Domenech has been speaking of his dream to manage Ireland. No, really.
In an interview with Ma Chaîne Sport, the former France boss, who has been described as being a bit kooky (if you're being kind) revealed that the Boys in Green have always been close to his heart, something which stems from the fans propensity to be a bit jovial even when we're not very good.
Luckily for us, Irish journalist Mark Rodden was tuning in to Ma Chaîne to hear what Domench had to say and it was wonderful.
Ex-France boss Raymond Domenech has told Ma Chaîne Sport that he'd like to manage Ireland one day. Didn't seem like he was joking either
— Mark Rodden (@MRodden) March 2, 2015
Domenech: "The team I've dreamed of managing for years, it's Ireland. I love the people, their spirit..."
— Mark Rodden (@MRodden) March 2, 2015
Domenech: "I went there, I've been back (since Henry). I had beers with the Irish, I was in the stands. It was magnificent."
— Mark Rodden (@MRodden) March 2, 2015
Domenech on Ireland and fans: "They're real sports people. They're people who live for sport, whether it's football or rugby."
— Mark Rodden (@MRodden) March 2, 2015
Domenech on Irish fans: "They don't make enemies of the people in front of them. It's a partner who does something with them..." 1/2
— Mark Rodden (@MRodden) March 2, 2015
Domenech "... They drink with them, they party with them, they fight (on the field) and once it's finished, they go home."
— Mark Rodden (@MRodden) March 2, 2015
We shouldn't joke to be fair. This is a man who brought France to the World Cup final in 2006, and if it hadn't been for that headbutt he might be a World Cup winner. However, what followed that World Cup will go down as one of the darkest periods in French football history.
They were woeful in Euro 2008 and in the World Cup in 2010 (that's all we're saying about it) they were a laughing stock. Domenech's selection policies famously included leaving players out based on their less than ideal star signs.
Get the cheque book out Denis O'Brien, there's a new man in town and he wants a pint with the fans.
