Finals marked end of an era for France - Platini

Former France captain and manager Michel Platini said the World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan had marked "the end of an era" for the national team.

"Our record over the last four or six years is remarkable. But this World Cup marked the end of an era. We must change," he was quoted as saying in French daily Le Parisien.

France, the world and European champions, suffered the worst performance of a defending champion in World Cup history as they were eliminated without winning a game or scoring a goal.

The French Soccer Federation (FFF), on which Platini has a major influence, decides on July 5 whether to replace coach Roger Lemerre after the disastrous World Cup campaign.

After losing to Senegal and Denmark and drawing with Uruguay, they became the first title-holders to lose in the first round since Brazil in 1966.

The 62-year-old Lemerre, who is under contract until 2004, had said during the tournament: "I'm certain people will be after my blood if we don't qualify."

French media reported that Platini, former France manager Aime Jacquet and federation president Claude Simonet had already met to decide on a replacement.

Although no decision is expected until the federation meets next month, speculation is growing about who will take over.

But former European Footballer of the Year Platini declined to be drawn into the debate, even though his former team-mates Jacques Santini and Alain Giresse are favourites for the job.

Asked what the France manager's mission would be, Platini told Le Parisien: "To rebuild. New challenges will come quickly with the Euro 2004 and 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

"But I'm not entitled to make an announcement (on who the national team manager should be). President Simonet will announce his decision on July 5 or before if he wants to.

"I told him about my choice last week and he said it was an excellent idea. Whether he will follow my advice I don't know."

Influential sports daily l'Equipe said Platini's first choice was English premier league club Fulham's manager Jean Tigana, but Simonet vetoed the appointment and the former France midfielder had in any case declined an offer for contractual reasons.

Paris St Germain coach Luis Fernandez - with Giresse, Platini and Tigana a member of France's magic midfield of the 1980s - is also bound by his club contract.

As a result, Santini, who quit as Olympique Lyon coach on May 7 after leading them to their first French title, and Giresse, coach of Moroccan club FAR Rabat, are the main candidates.

Santini played with Platini at St Etienne, while Giresse has always been very close to the former Juventus player since their national team playing days.

Lemerre, who led France to success in the 2000 European Championship, has been criticised for not picking younger players to rejuvenate the team after their 1998 World Cup win in France.

He took over from Jacquet four years ago but, never an automatic choice, was only given the job after it was turned down by several other candidates.