Jean Tigana says Non to France
last updated Monday 14th May 2001, 10:57 PM
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Fulham
coach Jean Tigana has ruled himself out of the running as France boss
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Fulham coach Jean Tigana has ruled himself out of the running to replace
Roger Lemerre as France boss after the 2002 World Cup.
The former Lyon and Monaco coach, who was hotly tipped to succeed Aime
Jacquet after the 1998 World Cup, is already one of the favourites to
take over from Lemerre when his contract expires in two years.
But Tigana insisted that his refusal to break an existing contract will
scupper any hopes he may have had of leading the national team.
"The France team is finished for Tigana," he declared. "After
Lemerre and the 2002 World Cup there will be another coach who will have
to commit for four years or at least until the next World Cup in Germany.
At that time I will still be tied to Fulham and as I respect my contracts…"
The scenario is a repeat of what happened two years ago, when Tigana
refused the chance to replace Jacquet. It's a decision he has never regretted,
he has told France Football, published on Tuesday.
"I have no remorse. I didn't take the national team because I had
given my word to Monaco president Jean-Louis Campora that I would see
through my contract with Monaco. I'm like that. My beliefs and my given
word are the most important guide to my convictions."
He continued: "Anyway, I don't like speaking too much about the
national team out of respect for the people already in place, who are
working very well.
"France are very strong and everything is working out for them.
If they continue like this, and if there aren't any major problems between
now and June 2002, I can't see what could possibly go wrong for them.
"We have to hope that none of the key players get injured two or
three months before the event, which is what happened to us before Mexico
with Michel Platini. If Michel had been fully fit in 1986 I think we would
have won the World Cup."
Tigana's comments come just two weeks after he revealed that he plans
to end his coaching career at Fulham. "I've got two years of my contract
left and another two as an option if I want," he said. "After
that, it's Cassis, his home-town on the Mediterranean coast, fishing,
enjoying myself and resting. Fulham is my last stop.
"In four years' time I'll be 50. I've been in football for 26 years
and I've taken five weeks' holiday. I love being on the field but my family
are starting to remind me that there's more to life than football. We
will see. Maybe I'll put some money into a club and become a shareholder
or a president."
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Source onefootball
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