France reluctant to draw lessons from win

"I don't want to draw any lessons just now, especially after what (has) happened since Thursday," said Santini, who coached Foe at Olympique Lyon before becoming France manager last year.

The 28-year-old midfielder died after collapsing during his country's semi-final victory over Colombia on Thursday.

"The situation has become too special and it's too early, in any case. We're in an emotional phase and we have to wait," Santini told reporters at a news conference on Monday.

"The trophy, we don't take its sporting value into account given the situation. We cannot even say we're glad to have retained our title," he said.

Yet Santini, who took over from Roger Lemerre after France's disastrous World Cup in South Korea and Japan -- in which they gave the worst ever performance by a defending champion at the finals -- felt a fresh team spirit as new leaders emerged.

The France manager, who decided to cope without Real Madrid playmaker Zinedine Zidane and Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, singled out Thierry Henry as the new team boss.

GOOD SPIRIT

"I know the players better now and they know me better. The team have evolved since my first game against Tunisia," he said.

"Life within the squad is good, victories have led to closer ties. Some players told me they had not seen such a spirit in the team for a long time.

"It's good to hear," he said.

Santini said the human aspect of a squad was essential but added that the Confederations Cup had made it clear he could do without some key players.

"The human side will always be more important than professional qualities for me, that's the way I am.

"But I must be merciless from a sporting point of view. If a player should not play, I'll say it, be it Zidane or whoever," he said.

In Arsenal striker Henry, who scored France's golden goal winner against Cameroon in Sunday's final and was voted the competition's best player, Santini has found a new leader.

"I hope he has not reached his limits yet. He told me in our very first conversation before Tunisia that he wanted to be France's leader," Santini said.

Among other players who impressed Santini ahead of next year's European championship in Portugal was AS Roma midfielder Olivier Dacourt.

"As for the youngsters, they have started challenging the old ones and I like it," he said.

European champions France are five points clear at the top of qualifying Group One and have three matches remaining.