Domenech will be new French coach

8220;We received 41 applications, six of them were really serious,8221; French football federation FFF chairman Claude Simonet told a news conference. 8220;The shortlist was reduced to three names, Laurent Blanc, Jean Tigana and Raymond Domenech, before we reached a consensus and appointed Raymond Domenech.8221;

Simonet said he would recommend the Federation8217;s council 8220;to appoint Domenech for four years with yearly objectives8221;.

8220;I think that we should write in the contract the obligation to qualify France for the 2006 World Cup and to reach at least the semi-finals in Germany,8221; he said. 8220;If these two objectives were to be met, the contract would be renewed for two more years.8221;

Domenech admitted that France 8220;must qualify for the 2006 World Cup and, if possible, win8221;. 8220;We also have to rebuild around our national team the special feeling that helped us to win the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.8221;

A former player, the hard-tackling defensive midfielder, Domenech won eight caps for his country in the 1970s.