In a Netflix documentary titled The Bus, the Blues on Strike, former France manager Raymond Domenech opens his 2010 World Cup diary and delivers a blistering critique of several key players . he describes Arsenal great Thierry Henry as a “banal self‑absorbed Leo” and brands Nicolas Anelka a “complete moron,” while also lambasting the team’s collective attitude during the infamous strike .

Domenech labels Thierry Henry a ‘banal self‑absorbed Leo’

According to the documentary, Domenech singled out Henry for his perceived ego, calling the former Arsenal striker a “banal self‑absorbed Leo.” The comment underscores the coach’s frustration with a player who, despite his pedigree, seemed disengaged from the squad’s turmoil. henry’s reputation as a French football icon makes the remark especially striking, suggesting a deeper rift between senior talent and the coaching staff.

Anelka called a ‘complete moron’ in the Netflix film

Domenech did not spare Nicolas Anelka, describing him as a “complete moron” after the forward allegedly walked past the coach without acknowledging him.. This vivid insult reflects the chaos that erupted when the team staged a strike in protest of captain Patrice Evra’s dismissal. As reported in the film, Anelka’s behavior epitomised the breakdown of discipline that plagued France’s campaign.

Patrice Evra’s silence urged by Domenech

The former coach advised captain Evra to “keep quiet,” implying that the defender’s public comments only inflamed the situation. Domenech’s suggestion that Evra’s best contribution would be silence highlights the coach’s belief that the strike’s media fallout was as damaging as the on‑field performance. This perspective aligns with the broader narrative that internal dissent, rather than tactical errors, derailed France’s World Cup run.

The Bus, the Blues on Strike documentary reveals internal rifts

The Netflix production provides a rare glimpse into the locker‑room atmosphere, noting that even the written statements from the striking players contained “no spelling mistakes,” a sarcastic jab from Domenech about the professionalism of the protest.. By framing the strike as a “collective suicide,” the film amplifies the sense that the squad’s unity collapsed under pressure, a view echoed by multiple sources covering the 2010 tournament.

Who else was involved in the strike?

While Domenech names Henry, Anelka, Yoann Gourcuff, Patrice Evra and William Gallas, the documentary leaves unanswered the role of other squad members who may have supported the protest. The film does not clarify whether midfielders such as Franck Ribéry or defenders like Eric Abidal were complicit, leaving a gap in the full picture of the dissent.

Open question:What triggered the players’ collective walk‑out?

The documentary hints at Evra’s dismissal as the spark, yet it does not detail the specific grievances that led the entire team to refuse training. Without direct testimony from the players themselves, the exact motivations remain speculative, and Domenech’s account may reflect his own bias rather than an impartial record.