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Set to follow Fabio Capello? Why Laurent Blanc's time as France boss may be coming to an end
Less than two years into the job, the former Bordeaux boss' success on the field may not be enough to appease pressures away from the park, as the FFF make his life complicated
10 Feb 2012 15:22:00
SPECIAL
by Robin Bairner | French Football Editor
Laurent Blanc’s reign as France boss may be only around 18 months old, yet it faces a second major crisis as the European Championship in the summer begins to loom.
After surviving reports of his apparent resignation as the ‘Quota Scandal’ broke in the spring of 2011, the former Bordeaux coach’s time is once again looking up, although not in the same dramatic circumstances that surrounded Fabio Capello’s exit from the England role earlier this week.
The Italian went quickly and somewhat unexpectedly, whereas the departure of Blanc from France is set to be a drawn out affair, instigated by the 1998 World Cup winner’s poor relationship with the board of the French FA (FFF), and in particular president Noel Le Graet.
There is no question of the 46-year-old resigning from his post - he is far too loyal and principled to perform such an act at this crucial time in his side’s development - yet there is every chance he will make it clear before les Bleus travel to Ukraine and Poland that he will take them no further.
Essentially, the nub of his discontent comes from his desire to receive the backing of the FFF. Blanc is a coach who builds in the long-term, and he wants the confidence of a contract to match before the summer’s main event. Le Graet and his FFF cronies, however, believe success should only be judged on the biggest stage, and should France flop in Eastern Europe, Blanc’s deal would not be renewed.
Alain Boghossian, the right-hand man in the national team, has revealed that the coach wanted a deal tied up by March in order to best plan his future for next season. The former Parma midfielder declared that this is typically the time clubs plan their coaching staff for the next year, so Blanc could miss out on a lucrative post should he elect to rely on the erratic FFF prolonging his stay.
As the summer's competition draws near, the relationship between the two parties is growing increasingly tense, with the media already suggesting potential successors to ‘Le President’. Le Graet is even said to be “dreaming” of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, according to L’Equipe.
Publicly, the FFF president has not altered his stance. Speaking to La Depeche du Midi on Thursday, he said: “I have not changed my mind; wait for the competition and then we’ll act. We have no problem with Laurent Blanc, the only thing upon which we stumble is time. Laurent wants to extend before, I want to wait until after. If the European Championship is good, my wish is to conserve him.”
He would also reject claims that he has already been in contact with a potential successor, declaring it as “malpractice” and “stupid”, which would be an act that would “force” him to resign.
In reality, the gap between the two men is greater than is being revealed. Le Graet finds Blanc’s lack of communication frustrating, as he is often unable to reach the coach by phone, while face-to-face time in Paris is also restricted because the France boss does not tend to visit the capital frequently.
Additionally, there is a clear belief in the FFF that costs are running too high with the present coaching staff of the national team, which includes Jean-Louis Gasset, Fabien Barthez, Boghossian and more.
Then there is the problem - for the president - of the power that Blanc would appear to wield over the media. Having been an influential figure in the World Cup winning side in 1998 (until the final, for which he was suspended), Blanc has seen many of his cohorts take up key roles in the press. Christophe Dugarry has been particularly vocal in his defence of the coach, stating in January that the FFF are no longer to be trusted in a violent and typically outspoken attack.
RMC have since reported that Le Graet sent a text message to his colleagues stating: “We must be finished with the 98 generation.”
A more unbiased view comes from the same radio station, with Luis Fernandez, a member of France’s legendary 1984 European Championship winning midfield, declaring: “The players of the 1998 generation have a legitimate claim to take part in the debate. They contributed to the progress of French football.
“We must stop asking questions of Laurent Blanc … It does not seem logical to me to extend his contract after the Euros.”
Cynicism over Le Graet’s actions remain, though. He is a known friend and supporter of Raymond Domenech, whose reign so spectacularly unravelled at World Cup 2010, where he was the subject of widespread player revolt.
The president did not select Blanc as his coach, coming in after the decision was made, and there are hints in the media that he is doing everything he possibly can to assassinate ‘Le President’, who has managed to lift les Bleus away from Domenech’s disastrous period and back onto the road to success - even if there remains some distance left to travel.
Certainly, the next six weeks may well prove to be telling in the long-term direction of the French national side.
Paddy Power odds of Laurent Blanc no longer being the manager of France before the first qualifier for World Cup 2014 begins: 2/1
Paddy Power odds of Laurent Blanc no longer being the manager of France before Euro 2012 begins: 16/1
Follow Robin Bairner on
by Robin Bairner | French Football Editor
Laurent Blanc’s reign as France boss may be only around 18 months old, yet it faces a second major crisis as the European Championship in the summer begins to loom.
After surviving reports of his apparent resignation as the ‘Quota Scandal’ broke in the spring of 2011, the former Bordeaux coach’s time is once again looking up, although not in the same dramatic circumstances that surrounded Fabio Capello’s exit from the England role earlier this week.
| Bet: | Returns: | France £11.25 | Draw £65.00 | Estonia £170.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | France £11.40 | Draw £60.00 | Estonia £120.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | France £11.43 | Draw £70.00 | Estonia £170.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | France £11.30 | Draw £80.00 | Estonia £210.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | France £11.00 | Draw £85.00 | Estonia £138.00 |
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The Italian went quickly and somewhat unexpectedly, whereas the departure of Blanc from France is set to be a drawn out affair, instigated by the 1998 World Cup winner’s poor relationship with the board of the French FA (FFF), and in particular president Noel Le Graet.
There is no question of the 46-year-old resigning from his post - he is far too loyal and principled to perform such an act at this crucial time in his side’s development - yet there is every chance he will make it clear before les Bleus travel to Ukraine and Poland that he will take them no further.
Essentially, the nub of his discontent comes from his desire to receive the backing of the FFF. Blanc is a coach who builds in the long-term, and he wants the confidence of a contract to match before the summer’s main event. Le Graet and his FFF cronies, however, believe success should only be judged on the biggest stage, and should France flop in Eastern Europe, Blanc’s deal would not be renewed.
| BLANC'S FRANCE RECORD |
|
 |
|
| PLAYED WON DRAWN LOST FOR AGAINST |
19 11 6 2 26 9 |
As the summer's competition draws near, the relationship between the two parties is growing increasingly tense, with the media already suggesting potential successors to ‘Le President’. Le Graet is even said to be “dreaming” of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, according to L’Equipe.
Publicly, the FFF president has not altered his stance. Speaking to La Depeche du Midi on Thursday, he said: “I have not changed my mind; wait for the competition and then we’ll act. We have no problem with Laurent Blanc, the only thing upon which we stumble is time. Laurent wants to extend before, I want to wait until after. If the European Championship is good, my wish is to conserve him.”
He would also reject claims that he has already been in contact with a potential successor, declaring it as “malpractice” and “stupid”, which would be an act that would “force” him to resign.
In reality, the gap between the two men is greater than is being revealed. Le Graet finds Blanc’s lack of communication frustrating, as he is often unable to reach the coach by phone, while face-to-face time in Paris is also restricted because the France boss does not tend to visit the capital frequently.
Additionally, there is a clear belief in the FFF that costs are running too high with the present coaching staff of the national team, which includes Jean-Louis Gasset, Fabien Barthez, Boghossian and more.
| FRANCE'S TOP 5 COACHES BY WIN % |
| YEARS | P | W | WIN % |
|
| Jacques Santini |
2002-2004 | 28 |
22 |
78.6 |
| Aime Jacquet |
1993-1998 | 53 | 34 | 64.2 |
| Roger Lemerre |
1998-2002 | 53 | 34 | 64.2 |
| Laurent Blanc |
2010-2012 | 19 | 11 | 57.9 |
| Michel Platini |
1988-1992 | 29 | 16 | 55.2 |
Then there is the problem - for the president - of the power that Blanc would appear to wield over the media. Having been an influential figure in the World Cup winning side in 1998 (until the final, for which he was suspended), Blanc has seen many of his cohorts take up key roles in the press. Christophe Dugarry has been particularly vocal in his defence of the coach, stating in January that the FFF are no longer to be trusted in a violent and typically outspoken attack.
RMC have since reported that Le Graet sent a text message to his colleagues stating: “We must be finished with the 98 generation.”
A more unbiased view comes from the same radio station, with Luis Fernandez, a member of France’s legendary 1984 European Championship winning midfield, declaring: “The players of the 1998 generation have a legitimate claim to take part in the debate. They contributed to the progress of French football.
“We must stop asking questions of Laurent Blanc … It does not seem logical to me to extend his contract after the Euros.”
We must stop asking questions of Laurent Blanc ... It does not seem logical to me to extend his contract after the Euros - Luis Fernandez
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Cynicism over Le Graet’s actions remain, though. He is a known friend and supporter of Raymond Domenech, whose reign so spectacularly unravelled at World Cup 2010, where he was the subject of widespread player revolt.
The president did not select Blanc as his coach, coming in after the decision was made, and there are hints in the media that he is doing everything he possibly can to assassinate ‘Le President’, who has managed to lift les Bleus away from Domenech’s disastrous period and back onto the road to success - even if there remains some distance left to travel.
Certainly, the next six weeks may well prove to be telling in the long-term direction of the French national side.
Paddy Power odds of Laurent Blanc no longer being the manager of France before the first qualifier for World Cup 2014 begins: 2/1
Paddy Power odds of Laurent Blanc no longer being the manager of France before Euro 2012 begins: 16/1
Follow Robin Bairner on
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