Lemerre`s successor made public next week (12.07.2002)
PARIS
The guessing game over the identity of who will take over from Roger Lemerre as French coach is almost over.
The French Football Federation (FFF) announced here Thursday the man entrusted with the task of reconstructing the team that fell to earth so spectacularly at the World Cup will be named by Saturday week.
The most likely date for unveiling Lemerre`s successor is next Friday when the FFF board meets to review cash-strapped Nice`s relegation from the first to the third division.
Lemerre was sacked last week after defending champions France`s ignominious first round exit from the World Cup where they
failed to win a match or even score one goal.
Front-runners for the job are former Japan coach Philippe Troussier and the under-21 coach Raymond Domenech.
On Tuesday the French national league met Simonet to spell out what kind of person they wanted to see managing the national team.
The FFF communications director Jean-Yves Le Huede said: "The question of the coach will be raised this afternoon with the sports minister, Jean-Francois Lamour."
After the FFF board held a two hour meeting on Thursday morning to discuss the matter Le Huede confirmed the eagerly-awaited decision will be announced by Saturday, July 20.
