Laurent Blanc has penned a two-year deal to take over the leadership of the France national side following the expiry of Raymond Domenech’s contract, according to L’Equipe.
Though Blanc had unofficially elected to take the reins over, though there was no announcement of a formal agreement until the respected sportspaper broke the story this morning that the former Girondins de Bordeaux coach had inked a deal earlier in the week.
There had been fears that the ramshackle state of les Bleus may dissuade Blanc from taking over. Inter had reportedly shown interest in luring the Frenchman to the San Siro, where he once turned out as a player, but a sense of loyalty to the national side, to whom he had given his word several weeks previously, ultimately proved too great.
Blanc will pick France up in a horrible state. Freshly eliminated from the World Cup without so much as winning a game in what appeared to be a relatively straightforward group, les Bleus’ squad is fractured and tempestuous, with the egos of some senior players supposedly placing the greater good.
Joining Blanc will be Jean-Louis Gasset, his assistant with Bordeaux, and Marino Faccioli, former executive director of Olympique Lyonnais, who will serve as director of the France team. He is expected to be formally announced as national team boss on July 2.
The 44-year-old can now start to plot his side for the friendly against Norway on August 11, which will be his first match in charge of what’s sure to be a new-look national side.
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