France manager Raymond Domenech insists he will not walk away from his job amid his growing unpopularity.

Despite leading the nation to the World Cup final in 2006, Domenech has often been a figure of ridicule in his homeland for below performances.

His reputation was not helped by a mediocre World Cup qualifying campaign which ended in controversy after the Thierry Henry handball affair.

Calls from France fans for Domenech to step down ahead of the finals in South Africa have been rebuffed by the manager himself, who insists he revels under pressure.

“I have never resigned, and I will never resign,” Domenech told French media outlet l’express. “The harder the pressure, the more I become motivated.

“I thrive on adversity. When everything’s calm, I get bored, I start worrying. To leave now makes no sense.

“Let me reverse the logic. Wouldn’t they think in that case ‘what a coward’, he’s cut and run. Resigning would suggest that I’ve completed my job and that I don’t give a damn about the consequences – that would give ammunition to my critics.

“People have to stop dreaming. I’m not someone who walks away. With my players we want to achieve something momentous in South Africa.

“We’ll let a little time go by, see what this and that person is saying, and then kick on again.”

After a disappointing showing at Euro 2008, in which France failed to progress from the group stages, Domenech looks to have survived another brush with the sack.

However, he was forced to reiterate his stance that he did not receive around €750,000 (£675,000) as a bonus for World Cup qualification, as reported in the French media.

He insisted: “If it really was that, I would be as happy as anything.

“But it is way over the mark. I won’t even try and contradict the information because it is their usual editorial line. It is a lie. Money is not my motivation.”

Domenech also slammed the critics of Henry after he admittedly handled the ball in the build up to William Gallas’ extra-time goal which sent France through to the world cup at the expense of the Republic of Ireland.

The manner in which they qualified for the tournament also drew heavy criticism of the national side in French media last week.

With Henry and Domenech the key figures of ridicule, Domenech has previously voiced his plans to remain in charge and has now leapt to the defence of his captain Henry.

“It made me furious that Thierry can be treated this way,” the France boss added on l’express.fr.

“I have not slept for two days and I am just starting to get over it.

“When France were given an unjustified red card against the Serbs, Serbia did not launch a campaign to denigrate our team.”

The Football Association of Ireland requested a replay of the game, which was immediately rebuffed by world governing body FIFA.

Henry has admitted he considered retiring from international football following the uproar, but Domenech does not believe he was ever likely do so.

“No, I do not think so,” he said. “But when I called, he was like all of us – surprised, stunned. I have tremendous respect for him as a man and a footballer.

“Titi (Henry) is one of the most talented players in the history of French football.

“For months now, despite his injury, he participated in all our matches at the risk of being yelled at by his club, Barcelona.

“‘Les Bleus’ is his reason for living as a footballer.”

The goal sparked mass debate over whether the game should be replayed and whether video technology could be used to determine difficult decisions.

However, Domenech admits such measures were never likely and insists the problem does not lie with the honesty of players, but with the quality of refereeing.

He added: “No, it would have been impossible (a replay). Or it should be done after every incident that goes unpunished.

“Let’s solve the problem of refereeing – that is the real debate.”

French football legends Eric Cantona and Bixente Lizarazu are the latest high-profile pair to point the finger at Domenech, but the 57-year-old remains unfazed by their criticism.

He said: “I put Cantona in the same batch as the others. He is coach of a beach soccer team and failed to qualify his team for the World Cup. He should show decency.”

A World Cup winner with the French in 1998, Lizarazu traded heated words with Domenech on live radio in their homeland, and the latter refuses to accept criticism from the inexperienced Lizarazu.

“It’s nice, the lessons of Bixente Lizarazu. It is fun, he won something and I’m happy for him, but he must not forget that he too has experienced difficult times – in 2002, for example.

“Lizarazu also claims that I refuse to talk football, tactically and technically. He is wrong. I speak, but with my players, not with him.

“Anyway, he does not ask questions, he merely gives advice.”

“Former players who act as coaches and have never coached a team leave me indifferent.”