Blanc determined to revive French

New France coach Laurent Blanc on Monday stressed his determination to revive the French national side which plumbed the depths under predecessor Raymond Domenech at a dismal World Cup.

The former Bordeaux coach – a World Cup winner in 1998 and Euro 2000 champion as well – takes charge for the first time in Wednesday’s friendly international against Norway.

He took the bold step of dropping the entire World Cup squad after they went on strike ahead of a training session during the tournament to protest the sending home of Nicolas Anelka.

Although Blanc has hinted he will recall Anelka – who was carpeted for abusing Domenech in the dressing room at half-time during their loss to Mexico – and the other miscreants for the Euro 2012 qualifiers he is laying down markers as to how he expects his men to behave.

“When you talk to the players you have to show yourself to be determined,” he told reporters.

“I am not saying that you have to prove your authority to the players – even though that must exist – but you have to show determination, be frank, lay down a few ground rules; some for now, more when we get to September,” when the qualifiers start.

Given the opportunity to give youth its head, Blanc has called up 13 uncapped players to face Norway as well as Karim Benzema, Samir Nasri and Philippe Mexes, who have been recalled after missing the World Cup cut.

And he has placed high hopes on the likes of Paris Saint Germain star Guillaume Hoarau and Jimmy Briand of Lyon.

“They represent the future,” said Blanc, noting that the newcomers had all shown signs of being ready to step up to the international plate and now had their chance to prove their worth.

Midfielder Lassana Diarra, another World Cup absentee and now one of Blanc’s more experienced heads for Wednesday, agreed that the youngsters had to give the older heads the feeling that they were breathing down the latters’ necks.

“I watched the World Cup as a spectator and it was strange – but I don’t want to say more as I wasn’t there, save to say the French team disappointed the French public.

“You have to want to be together and want to please the fans. The match against Norway will allow the new players to express themselves and show they are capable of bringing something to the table. If they are in the squad it is because they have potential and they are going to grab their opportunity.”

French national football team’s coach Laurent Blanc, seen here addressing the press in Clairefontaine, southern Paris, stressed his determination to revive the French national side which plumbed the depths under predecessor Raymond Domenech at a dismal World Cup.

French national football team’s coach Laurent Blanc(R), seen here talking to his players during a training session in Clairefontaine, southern Paris, stressed his determination to revive the French national side which plumbed the depths under predecessor Raymond Domenech at a dismal World Cup.