Blanc set to succeed Domenech as France coach

Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc took a major step towards replacing Raymond Domenech as France’s national football team coach after expressing his wish to leave the club on Sunday.

Blanc, a World Cup and Euro winning defender with France as a player, led Bordeaux to the 2009 league title but his side could only finish sixth and out of the European places on Saturday’s final round of league matches.

According to one unnamed player at the club, Blanc quit as Bordeaux coach on Sunday after informing his players of his decision.

Bordeaux subsequently released a statement which suggests he is set to accept the French football federation’s (FFF) offer to replace current France coach Domenech when he leaves his post at the end of the 2010 World Cup.

“The FC Girondins de Bordeaux have just been informed by their coach Laurent Blanc that he wishes to respond favourably to an offer by the FFF to become the France national team coach,” the statement said.

Blanc was recently offered the job to take over France last week by FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes.

Escalettes, who appears to favour Blanc as Domenech’s successor, reacted to Sunday’s news with optimism.

“I’m delighted to hear of (Blanc’s) interest in the job,” said Escalettes.

“Thanks to his sporting achievements, personality and charisma Laurent Blanc is the prototype of the national team coach the FFF is looking for.”

Escalettes said he had spoken to Blanc by telephone on Sunday after the Frenchman had informed Bordeaux of his intentions.

“Laurent Blanc told me himself by telephone this morning after informing his club and the players,” he added.

“I’ve taken note of his decision on Sunday morning, following the final round of matches in the first division, and of the interest that he has officially shown in the post.”

Escalettes said the next step would involve “drawing up an agreement which would pave the way for Laurent Blanc to take over as coach of France”.

The FFF president said the final decision on Blanc’s appointment would be “taken by the FFF federal council”. It will next meet on May 20.

Domenech is scheduled to leave his post after the World Cup with his successor due to be named before the tournament gets under way on June 11.