France coach Raymond Domenech is fed up of reading criticism of his team in the build-up to the World Cup.
“I’m tired of reading about what’s going wrong,” said Domenech.
“There is a great atmosphere in the team. People keep stopping us to wish us well – that’s what you should talk about but that does not make headlines.”
France were booed off the Stade de Francde pitch following Saturday’s 1-0 friendly win over Mexico.
“Maybe it’s a psychological problem, because I’m tired of hearing things I don’t want to hear,” Domenech added.
Criticism of the national coach by the French press is nothing new. L’Equipe rounded on coach Aime Jacquet’s during the successful 1998 World Cup campaign on home soil.
Neither Roger Lemerre, who guided France to the title at the European championship in 2000, nor his successor Jacques Santini enjoyed an easy ride from the press.
Domenech, who took over from Santini after France’s quarter-final exit from Euro 2004, is now experiencing the same treatment.
“We’re here to prepare for the World Cup, not my hanging,” he said on Tuesday.
Then he touched his ear again.
“I’m not sure but I think it’s inflammation of the ear.”
