lefty
12-16-2009, 02:13 PM
Nicolas Anelka has revealed he has a better relationship with France coach Raymond Domenech than any of the others he has worked under in the national team.
Domenech (http://topics.skysports.com/Raymond+Domenech/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif has been heavily criticised in his homeland for a combative approach to management which has angered sections of supporters and players alike.
After reaching the World Cup (http://topics.skysports.com/World+Cup/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif final in 2006, Les Bleus (http://topics.skysports.com/Les+Bleus/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif endured a woeful European Championship campaign in 2008 and only qualified for the 2010 World Cup with a controversial play-off victory over Ireland.
But Anelka, (http://topics.skysports.com/Nicolas+Anelka/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif who had high-profile fall-outs with a number of Domenech's predecessors, insists he has been impressed with the 57-year-old.
The Chelsea striker told French newspaper 20 Minutes: "Despite what people say, it's with Domenech that I have the best relationship.
"I've never been able to talk with a coach like that. Before, there was (Jacques) Santini, it was impossible to talk to him. (Roger) Lemerre, the same. (Aime) Jacquet, that's it? Also impossible."
Jacquet was similarly unpopular with the French public before leading the country to victory in the 1998 World Cup and Anelka feels Domenech can also prove his doubters wrong in South Africa.
"It is like with Jaquet at the moment but you just have to be patient, strong mentally. And he's patient. Maybe in six months he will be the 'Boss' and no-one can insult him."
Anelka admits France's World Cup qualification campaign was far from ideal but feels it wasn't helped by a sceptical national following.
"You mustn't think that we don't know when we play badly. After the return match against Ireland, myself and Patrice Evra (http://topics.skysports.com/Patrice+Evra/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif said 'we were rotten'. The coach also told us that we were rubbish. We know it. But when we do things well, you have to say it too. It's said when we win 3-0, that's normal. And when we lose.... That's why we don't feel supported."
The much-travelled 30-year-old is enjoying life at Chelsea and does not intend to return to his country of birth in the near future.
He added: "When you've lived and played abroad you can't return to France. You're not accepted as you were before. Everyone is waiting for you to fall flat on your face.
"In France, you can't do what you want to. I'd like to live in France but it's impossible. You know why, concerning taxation... If I want to drive a big car people look at you differently.
"I don't want to play football and pay 50 percent of what I earn. If that shocks people, too bad. But France is a hypocritical country."
Domenech (http://topics.skysports.com/Raymond+Domenech/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif has been heavily criticised in his homeland for a combative approach to management which has angered sections of supporters and players alike.
After reaching the World Cup (http://topics.skysports.com/World+Cup/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif final in 2006, Les Bleus (http://topics.skysports.com/Les+Bleus/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif endured a woeful European Championship campaign in 2008 and only qualified for the 2010 World Cup with a controversial play-off victory over Ireland.
But Anelka, (http://topics.skysports.com/Nicolas+Anelka/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif who had high-profile fall-outs with a number of Domenech's predecessors, insists he has been impressed with the 57-year-old.
The Chelsea striker told French newspaper 20 Minutes: "Despite what people say, it's with Domenech that I have the best relationship.
"I've never been able to talk with a coach like that. Before, there was (Jacques) Santini, it was impossible to talk to him. (Roger) Lemerre, the same. (Aime) Jacquet, that's it? Also impossible."
Jacquet was similarly unpopular with the French public before leading the country to victory in the 1998 World Cup and Anelka feels Domenech can also prove his doubters wrong in South Africa.
"It is like with Jaquet at the moment but you just have to be patient, strong mentally. And he's patient. Maybe in six months he will be the 'Boss' and no-one can insult him."
Anelka admits France's World Cup qualification campaign was far from ideal but feels it wasn't helped by a sceptical national following.
"You mustn't think that we don't know when we play badly. After the return match against Ireland, myself and Patrice Evra (http://topics.skysports.com/Patrice+Evra/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif said 'we were rotten'. The coach also told us that we were rubbish. We know it. But when we do things well, you have to say it too. It's said when we win 3-0, that's normal. And when we lose.... That's why we don't feel supported."
The much-travelled 30-year-old is enjoying life at Chelsea and does not intend to return to his country of birth in the near future.
He added: "When you've lived and played abroad you can't return to France. You're not accepted as you were before. Everyone is waiting for you to fall flat on your face.
"In France, you can't do what you want to. I'd like to live in France but it's impossible. You know why, concerning taxation... If I want to drive a big car people look at you differently.
"I don't want to play football and pay 50 percent of what I earn. If that shocks people, too bad. But France is a hypocritical country."