Raymond Was Young Once…
By: Inara | April 21st, 2008I admit that I have a rather unhealthy obsession with Raymond Domenech. Even if his decision making is suspect, his tact is nonexistent, and his best quality is his amazing ability to piss people off, I just can’t help liking him. Maybe it’s because everyone else hates him, or maybe it’s because he’s a Lyon legend. Or maybe both. But I can always count on him to bring a smile to my face.
…and dare I say, fetching as well?
Though I’ve written about Domenech before, that was a year ago, and it’s time that he had another shout out. He joined Lyon’s youth clubs when he was eight years old and was later promoted to the senior team when he was 17. He stayed for another eight years, winning the French Cup once and reaching the finals an additional two times. As a player, he was known as the “leg breaker” due to his reputation as a rough and tough defender. He also made ladies weep with his ’stash.
He returned to Lyon ten years later in 1987, this time as manager. During that time, he dragged the club out of the depths of the second division had them qualified for Europe within two years. After five years at Lyon, he eventually took on the coaching gig for France’s U21s. To date, he is the longest serving manager Lyon have had since Jean-Michel Aulas became president.
But don’t get my enthusiasm wrong - I’m not advocating that Domenech return to Lyon as manager. But between him and Alain Perrin, I’d choose RayRay in a heartbeat.
* This post was inspired by the latest L’Equipe magazine cover. Here in the states, I don’t have access to it, but if any of you have read it and/or have access to a scanner, I’d be so grateful if you could tell me what the article is about. I’m just dying to know more of Domenech’s personality secrets.
And here are some random Domenech pictures from antiquity. Look away if you aren’t interested in seeing him wear short shorts.
As a kid at OL.
Mr. Leg Breaker in action.
Raymond’s the hairy fellow.
You know you wanted a close up.
Domenech as Lyon manager.
In modern day times…
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Comments
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I love this. Do you want to cross-post over on the France page? Feel free — it would be wonderful. Give me a couple of hours to write a welcome post. (And welcome to that page, btw. Got busy and forgot to say that originally.)
And I share your borderline unhealthy interest in Raymond. The man fascinates me.
Posted from
United States
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Yeah i have lost track of my time with posting on the France page, some help would be nice.
Posted from
United States -
Nice reading, thanks Inara!
Posted from
Sweden -
at least he didnt have the scary unibrow when he was a little kid.
Posted from
United States -
Very funny! You can spot him a mile off even in grainy picture, but dishy? No definately not even without the tash!
Posted from
France -
Perrin has won titles.
Domenech has never won a SINGLE title as a coach. Not even a youth title. Not even with the golden Henry/Trezeguet/Anelka generation. Nada, niet, nichts.
Posted from
United States -
Alain Cayzac has just stepped down as PSG’s president. Apparently the fans have threatened more violence if the club goes down to L2. And there are police all over the Parc.
Crazy.
Posted from
United States -
The worst thing about this article is that I feel old. Yes I followed Domenech’s career as a player (at least the end of it), which means I was a Division 1 follower already back then, which seems like a hundred years ago.
Posted from
United States -
Well, it wasn’t that long ago that Domenech hung up his boots. The mid-eighties, I think. So the question is, were you a kid or an adult back then?
Posted from
United States -
Lol, a kid.
Posted from
United States -
thanks inara! i think i’ll try to find that équipe magazine!
Posted from
France
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