Highlights: France 1-2 South Africa
Outgoing France coach Raymond Domenech said he felt "a great sadness" after Les Bleus failed to qualify from the group stage at the World Cup.
Hosts South Africa beat France 2-1 in their final game to leave the former world champions bottom of Group A after a campaign marred by infighting.
"I feel great sadness at what has happened, not only for myself but for the French people," said Domenech.
Former France captain Laurent Blanc will now replace Domenech.
After an uninspiring 0-0 draw with Uruguay, problems in the France squad escalated when striker Nicolas Anelka argued with Domenech during their 2-0 defeat by Mexico.
Gourcuff sees red for elbow
The Chelsea man was sent home and the players subsequently boycotted a training session on Sunday.
After a bust-up with Patrice Evra following Anelka's expulsion, Domenech left the France captain out of the team to face South Africa.
"We wasted too much energy [in the events preceding the match]. It is not the time for settling accounts," stated Domenech, who was in charge of France when they were beaten on penalties by Italy in the 2006 World Cup final.
"A word for the French people? Just to say that I am sad, that this team has real potential, I wish good luck to my successor.
"I love the France team. It will not die, it will continue forever. It has all the ingredients to succeed."
French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes promised to hold a meeting in July to determine responsibility for France's embarrassing World Cup campaign.
"Everyone will go before the federal council, the president, the players, the coach, the medical staff, to see who is responsible," said Escalettes. "There will probably be sanctions but I can't pre-empt what the council will decide.
"What upsets me the most is the psychodrama of last weekend," added the FFF president, referring to Sunday's training boycott.
"Where, for me, 50 years of values crumbled. I thought at the time of this shame that football brought to France - that's far worse than poor results."
However, it is likely details will emerge about happened within the French camp in South Africa well before the FFF meeting.
"I promise to tell the truth about every minute of what I went through," said Evra. "French people need to know the truth because the France team belongs to them and nobody else.
"It's time for us to apologise. It hurts even more because that could have been done on Monday. I could have done it as the team captain but the coach would not let me."
Evra also revealed the French squad would give up any World Cup bonuses. According to the agreement signed with the FFF, the players would not receive a bonus for failing to reach the second round but could have benefited from marketing revenue generated by the squad.
Chelsea winger Florent Malouda also apologised for the events that hampered France's tournament.
The end of the road for France
Malouda told French television: "Our behaviour wasn't exemplary. I want to apologise to the fans on behalf of the players."
Despite fielding a much-changed side against South Africa, France still failed to shine and their World Cup was all but over when Yoan Gourcuff was sent off for using his elbow against MacBeth Sibaya - a decision that left Domenech burying his face in his hands.
"There was a low blow with the sending-off of Gourcuff and when things don't go for you they just don't go for you," commented Domenech.
After his six-year reign came to an end with only one point and one goal from three games, Domenech will now head home to face an inquisition from the French media.
But the coach's parting message to his players was one of praise.
"They showed real heart, real fight, real generosity of spirit out there today," stated Domenech, who appeared to get involved in a verbal altercation with opposite number Carlos Alberto Parreira at the final whistle.
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