Zinedine Zidane has blamed the physical demands of the domestic football season for France's early demise in the World Cup.
"I think that we lacked confidence and were not physically
fresh," he told Spanish sports daily Marca.
"You have to take into account the wear and tear the players
have been subjected to in a very tough season.
"We also lacked
that little bit of luck at crucial times in the games."
Zidane also revealed he was planning to retire from the
international game after the European championships in Portugal
"My aim is to do the European championships and then stop.
But we'll see," he said.
Zidane believes France should start afresh in rebuilding the squad.
He said: "Many of the players who were here may not be at another World Cup.
"It is very hard to suffer our first serious setback after
four years in which we have won everything possible.
"I am really
disappointed and hurt because I never imagined we would be
knocked out of the World Cup in the first phase.
"Now we need to put it behind us and try to understand why
it happened, but over-dramatising the situation won't help."