Saha keen for Blanc to remain as France coach

The ex-Manchester United forward hopes Les Bleus boss will extend his stay with the national team, despite reported interest from Tottenham

Former Tottenham striker Louis Saha is hoping Laurent Blanc continues as France coach after Euro 2012, despite being strongly linked to the vacant job at White Hart Lane.

The former Bordeaux boss is thought to be one of the front-runners to succeed Harry Redknapp, alongside former Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas, but Saha, who was released by Spurs at the end of the season, is an admirer of the work he has done with Les Bleus.

"He's a top manager," Saha told talkSPORT. "He'll always have interest [in him]. I can imagine him being in the Premier League because of his experience.

"I want him to stay in the job for France because he has been doing a terrific job so I wouldn't like him to go to the Premier League yet."

Blanc has transformed the fortunes of the national team following their acrimonious exit at the 2010 World Cup under Raymond Domenech.

	FRENCH FANCY?
66/1	France are 66/1 to beat Spain 3-0 at Euro 2012 with William Hill

Les Bleus were unbeaten in 23 games before Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at the hands of already-eliminated Sweden, and set up a mouth-watering clash with world and European champions Spain, but Saha believes Blanc has got what it takes to outwit Vicente del Bosque.

"It was quite an achievement to qualify for a big game against Spain. It feels like a great achievement," Saha said.

"The expectation was to play a better style of football after the World Cup in 2010.

"Technically and tactically we have to be in top form [against La Roja] and the manager has to have a big role in that.

"Physically you can be closer to the Spanish players. You have to find the right formation and I believe Laurent Blanc will definitely change his formation."

The game in Donetsk on Saturday kicks off at 20:45CET.