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.'