Willy Sagnol has put France s disappointing performances at big tournaments in recent years down to the lack of a winning mentality.
France were eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals at Euro 2012, while they failed to survive the group stage at the 2010 World Cup amid player unrest, and the former full-back feels cultural issues are one of the reasons behind their early exits.
We need winners. That is what is lacking in French culture generally, and it s not easy to develop, Sagnol told France Football.
While you can improve a player s technical ability and help him evolve, it is hard to change the mentality.
Once they are in a high-level structure, that must be mandatory. It must have the same importance as technical education.
Sagnol made over 50 international appearances for France between 2000 and 2008.
