Laurent Blanc denies he is set to replace Sir Alex

• zocoss

  6 Jan 10, 01:43

  Laurent Blanc denies he is set to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager
  

   

  

  Firing Blancs: The former United defender says he is staying at Bordeaux

   

   

  Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc has rubbished speculation linking him with a sensational return to Old Trafford.

  Reports suggest the former France international is being lined up to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as the Manchester United boss. While there are also suggestions that he could replace the unpopular Raymond Domenech as the French national coach.

  But Blanc, who guided Bordeaux to the French league title last season, and the latter stages of the Champions League this campaign, denies United have been knocking on his door. 

  'I signed a contract with Bordeaux for two more years so there is no urgency regarding my future," Blanc told Europe 1.  

  'I have not received any approaches either from the [France] federation or from abroad. 

   

  

  United old-boy: Laurent Blanc spent two seasons at Old Trafford 

   

   

  'Just because I have strong links with Ferguson he's not going to come up to me and say "Hey, here you go Laurent, I've saved the place for you".'  

  This season marks Blanc's third as a manager, after seeing out his playing days at Old Trafford. 

  In his first campaign he steered Bordeaux to second spot in Ligue 1 before finally ending Lyon's stranglehold on the French title last year.  

  Blanc claims that, while he would be delighted to be offered the France job, he could very well turn it down. 

  'It would please me, that's obvious,' he added. 'But I could also refuse it. Contractually I'm not free. Don't forget I have an employer. But if they offer it to me, I would think about it of course. 

  'But the problem they will have is with dates. The World Cup final is on July 11, unless they take a coach who's free, everyone else will be right in the middle of preparing for the new season and I don't see a coach giving all that up. For me anyway it would be difficult.'

• CKeer

  6 Jan 10, 14:01

  I hope Mourinho would be the one replacing Fegie though. They have similar character and desire to win.

• zocoss

  6 Jan 10, 15:37

  But Blanc has done a fantastic job... I never thought anyone could end Lyon's control in France for another few years but a newbie like Blanc actually have... amazing...

   

• Chris88110

  6 Jan 10, 22:34

  Originally posted by zocoss:

  But Blanc has done a fantastic job... I never thought anyone could end Lyon's control in France for another few years but a newbie like Blanc actually have... amazing...

   

  Yeah what he did at Bordeaux was similar to what guardiola did at Barca. But can anyone tell me since I don't follow the french league, did he do it with good inherited players and a lot of money or with brilliant tactics and astute buys?

• zocoss

  7 Jan 10, 00:23

  Well, Lyon won it 7 yrs in a roll and not many expected them not to win it again last year... Bordeaux never won the title for 10 years... So where got good players  to inherit leh?  

• Chris88110

  7 Jan 10, 01:15

  Originally posted by zocoss:

  Well, Lyon won it 7 yrs in a roll and not many expected them not to win it again last year... Bordeaux never won the title for 10 years... So where got good players  to inherit leh?  

  I dunno it could've been a batch of up and coming youngsters, like I said I don't follow french lol