Lemerre - felt let down by players (Allsport)

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Embattled France coach Roger Lemerre refuses to accept blame for the reigning champions' stunning early exit from the World Cup.

Lemerre has been the popular scapegoat since Les Bleus humiliatingly crashed out of the tournament at the first hurdle without winning a match or scoring a goal in the opening round.

But French football federation president Claude Simonet revealed today Lemerre believes that, among other factors, he was short-changed by some players.

"Roger Lemerre does not consider himself guilty for what happened," said Simonet.

"He believes France's elimination is due to bad luck, injuries and feels that the players have not necessarily given their maximum."

Simonet admitted he's both annoyed and confused as speculation mounts over Lemerre's successor if he takes the likely option of quitting.

The French federation have given him until early next month to decide what he wants to do, but the rumour-mongering and media speculation are beginning to irritate Simonet.

"Right now the situation is very confusing," Simonet told L'Equipe.

"We are looking for someone who is competent, makes the right choices, gives good orientations and sets up a tactical scheme."

Former France captain and current Monaco coach Didier Deschamps has already said he's not interested in the job, but among those mentioned as likely successors are Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Liverpool French boss Gerard Houllier, Fulham's Jean Tigana and France Under-21 boss Raymond Domenech.

"When I hear all these names, considering that nothing has been decided yet, it really annoys me especially because it is impossible," said Simonet.

"All these people are contracted to important clubs and the breaking of such contracts would even endanger the French federation."

Simonet said the immediate task was to restore French morale.

"I still have not got over it," he added, "I was a little bit worried before the start of the World Cup even if it was not my role to show it.

"But the friendlies' campaign we had carried out had showed that we were tired.

"And the luck that we had in 1998 and 2000 was not with us this year. Then we can wonder whether we did not underestimate Senegal who are still engaged in the competition.

"Should we have brought the players' wives? Why did we play with our heads down following the first goal we conceded to Denmark?"

France's next engagement is a friendly against Tunisia in August ahead of their first Euro 2004 qualifier in Cyprus in September.

"It is necessary that everyone gather their spirits to show that what happened in Japan and South Korea was just an accident," Simonet added.

"We have the means to regain our level. We still have great players from the 1998 generation like (Fabien) Barthez, (Patrick) Vieira, (David) Trezeguet, (Thierry) Henry, (Sylvain) Wiltord, (Zinedine) Zidane and the others.

"And we also have a lot of talented players in the Under-21 side."