Zidane: End of an era for French worldbeaters

Zinedine Zidane fears the French team will now be broken up after Friday night's shock defeat by Greece.

Zidane, a World Cup winner in 1998 and European Champion in 2000, said: "It could be the end of a cycle."

"We're all responsible for our elimination, we did not pull together," added Zidane.

Outgoing coach Jacques Santini refused to comment on whether the players at the heart of France's dominance at the turn of the century, were now history.

Santini said: "Someone else will be taking my post in August and regarding the players of that generation, it's up to him to decide what they will do with their future."