Scorn and vitriol from the nation's press awaits France's returning national team.   

Defeat in their third and final game in the World Cup against hosts South Africa sent France packing with just a single point to show for their efforts.

But it was more their off the field shenanigans than their performances on the pitch which really riled the press and public.

The French team- who flew back to their training ground in ignominy hours after their defeat on Tuesday night- endured a truly controversial World Cup campaign.

Striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home after an altercation with controversial coach Raymond Domenech, and the rest of the squad boycotted training for a day in protest.

Captain Patrice Evra was also involved in a training ground bust up, and was left out of their defeat to South Africa.              

The French public seemed to have little sympathy with the players.    

[Michel Devault]: 

"It was to be expected. There's such a decay in the French team with people who are so arrogant and insulting to France. They earn way too much money. We've fallen into the world of big money and I think they've forgotten what sport is and what France is."    

Across France the message was the same - change is needed.         

[Cafe Waiter]:           

"Domenech: out. The problem with the French team is that they've got an oversized ego. They don't do anything anymore. They earn 700,000 euros per month. For me, honestly, they should do a month of voluntary work. Long live Laurent Blanc, he cannot get here fast enough."       

Laurent Blanc - who played in France's successful World Cup campaign of 1998 - was named as successor to Domenech, even before their bitterly disappointing campaign.