France coach Raymond Domenech insisted Tuesday he would never consider quitting his post despite his unpopularity with the French public which has deepened since last week's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ play-off furore.
Domenech has proved something of a survivor, keeping his job despite France's first-round knockout from UEFA EURO 2008. But after struggling in FIFA World Cup qualifying - requiring a controversial extra-time goal to see off the Republic of Ireland in the the play-off - his popularity appears to have hit an all time low.
France boss Raymond Domenech
Yet the 57-year-old came out fighting in an interview with l'express.fr, telling the website: "I have never resigned, and I will never resign. The harder the pressure, the more I become motivated. I thrive on adversity. When everything's calm, I get bored, I start worrying."
Asked if he had considered quitting given his own low standing with the French fans - he was booed when he turned up with some of his players at this month's Paris Masters tennis tournament before the Republic of Ireland play-off - he replied: "To leave now makes no sense."
He explained: "Let me reverse the logic. Wouldn't they think in that case: what a coward, he's cut and run! (Resigning) would suggest that I've completed my job and that I don't give a damn about the consequences, that would give ammunition to my critics."
He concluded: "People have to stop dreaming. I'm not someone who walks away. With my players we want to achieve something momentous in South Africa. We'll let a little time go by, see what this and that person is saying, and then kick on again."