Raymond Domenech says he would have been prepared to allow Nicolas Anelka to remain with the French squad had he apologised.
Anelka's stay in South Africa was cut short on Saturday when he was disciplined by the French Football Federation after reports of his dressing-room bust-up were leaked to the media.
The 31-year-old was offered the opportunity to say sorry but refused and France officials were left with no alternative but to dismiss him from the squad.
Anelka reportedly exploded in a foul-mouthed tirade after Domenech criticised him for straying out of position during the goalless first half of their 2-0 Group A defeat to Mexico on Thursday.
He was subsequently substituted before the start of the second half but Domenech said the incident had been blown out of proportion and Anelka could have remained with the team had he shown the necessary contrition.
"It was not a confrontation," the 57-year-old coach told French television station TF1.
"People cannot imagine the pressure. We are in a dressing room, the coach says something to a player who is already under pressure, he can react angrily, and with strong words.
"He did not react in the most suitable fashion, but it was just a guy sitting in his corner and muttering - that would not have mattered had it stayed there.
"What was important was that it made the front page of a newspaper, and that exposes the internal life of the squad.
"I sorted out the problem internally, and as far as I was concerned it was done and dusted.
"I had another chat with him (Anelka) the next day and I left open the possibility for him to apologise, something which he did not want to do.
"The decision to exclude him was the right one. I am sorry for the children for whom the French team represents something.
"He (Anelka) does not have the right to say such things."
France have to convincingly beat South Africa in their final Group A match and hope there is a positive result from the Uruguay versus Mexico game, otherwise Domenech's six-year reign will end in an ignominious early exit from the tournament