Blanc to replace Domenech as France coach?
2009-12-11 - Added by
ExtraFootie
The French Football Federation (FFF) are set repertedly set to ditch current Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech after the World Cup in 2010 and install Bordeaux boss Laurent Blanc.
Respected French daily L'Equipe claim the FFF have identified Blanc as their No.1 target to replace the beleaguered and hugely unpopolar Domenech in the hotseat, but only after next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.
Les Bleus controversially eliminated the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup play-offs to make it to the finals with the help of striker Thierry Henry's infamous 'Hand of Gaul' at the Stade de France.
The limp performance by the hosts that night was enough to persuade Jean-Pierre Escalettes, president of the FFF, that Domenech no longer has the canniness, nor the tactical nous to guide France to the next level.
Despite finishing runners-up to Italy in World Cup 2006, Domenech has failed to impress and win over his critics, but has so far miraculously dodged the bullet despite elimination in the group stages at Euro 2004.
The famously superstitious, star-gazing coach is now set to be ditched after next summer's World Cup regardless of how his team fares, and Escalettes is ready to install the highly-regarded Blanc as national team coach.
Blanc, 44, has been a revelation since taking over the reigns at the Stade Chaban Delmas and guided Les Girondins to the title last season, thus smashing Lyon's seven-year monopoly of the Ligue 1 crown.
The former Manchester United defender has also been touted as Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement at Old Trafford once the 67 year-old Scot eventually calls time on his tenure as United boss.
However, it remains to be seen what Blanc opts for next, with the chance of taking the reigns of his country sure to be a difficult job to turn his back on.