Brown fears for Lemerre

By Craig Brown BBC Five Live's World Cup summariser

France have been humbled and they are now going home with their tails between their legs.

It's difficult to say exactly why they've done so badly but I think the absence of Zinedine Zidane was critical.

Have your say on France's failure

He is their talisman and they never really recovered from his absence in the first two matches.

The opening game was a disaster for them against Senegal.

Zinedine Zidane's injury affected France

They improved slightly when they played with 10 men against Uruguay, but I think they were comprehensively beaten by Denmark.

The France coach, Roger Lemerre, will have a lot of thoughts going through his head.

One point from three matches is quite embarrassing for France.

They have been unlucky in having some good chances saved by goalkeepers and by hitting the woodwork, but we have not seen the France that won the last two major competitions.

Analysis: What went wrong for France?

I hate to be despondent about a coach's future, but I'm afraid Lemerre will now be under pressure.

He's had a great time in charge of the France side but he may step aside and then the speculation will turn to the likes of Arsene Wenger or Gerard Houllier.

Roger Lemerre's days may be numbered

I know Roger personally and I hope he does continue because he's a nice chap and he's an excellent coach and he was let down by his players.

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They didn't qualify in 1990 or 1994 but then they managed to win it in 1998 and that's going to be the problem for Lemerre.

France have set such a high standard under him and he will be judged on that and I'm afraid it might be difficult for him to remain in the post.