Laurent Blanc has emerged to top the Manchester United
short-list of managers to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sunday Mirror Sport can reveal that the Frenchman’s incredible
record at Bordeaux has put him firmly in the frame to follow Fergie
– ahead of Jose Mourinho and Carlos Queiroz.
The belief at Old Trafford is that Ferguson will remain in
charge until at least the end of next season – health
permitting.
But Blanc, who ended his glittering playing career with a
two-year stint at United, is now firmly established as the club’s
No.1 choice.
Chief executive David Gill and United legend Sir Bobby Charlton
have been tasked with selecting candidates capable of filling the
massive void that will be left when Ferguson steps down.
They will call on Ferguson’s massive wealth of football
knowledge in that hunt – and the United boss is a big admirer of
his former centre-back.
A United insider said: “Replacing Sir Alex will be the toughest
job since Matt Busby left the club.
“It isn’t just about winning at United. It’s about playing the
game the right way and upholding the traditions.
“There is a lot of admiration at Old Trafford for the job Blanc
has done at Bordeaux and the style of play he has imposed.
“It is no secret at the club that he became close to Sir Alex
when he was a United player. There is still a lot of mutual
respect.”
Ferguson has twice tried to lure Blanc to work alongside him at
United.
In the summer of 2008, after the Frenchman had guided Bordeaux
into the Champions League by finishing second in Ligue One in his
first season at the Parc Lescure, Ferguson asked him to replace
Portugal-bound Queiroz as his No.2.
Blanc opted to remain at Bordeaux – and decided to do the same
when Ferguson came calling again last January.
Bordeaux won the French League for the first time in a decade
last season and are top of the table again this season.
Blanc has enhanced his reputation further by taking Bordeaux
into the knock-out stages of the Champions League despite a tough
group.
But when United came calling for a second time, in the New Year,
the Frenchman said: “Two years experience isn’t enough for the top
English jobs.
“My ideal career path would be to start in France, then manage
abroad, and then return to head the French national team.”
Ferguson, who will celebrate his 68th birthday on New Year’s
Eve, failed three times in efforts to sign Blanc when the Frenchman
was recognised as one of the most gifted defenders in world
football, before finally succeeding in 2001.
Blanc’s final season as a player saw him take the 2003 Premier
League title with United, but he had spells at Barcelona and Inter
Milan, and with France he lifted the World Cup and European
Championship.
During his time at Old Trafford he would have regular talks with
Ferguson about coaching methods and tactics.
Blanc signed a two-year contract extension with Bordeaux earlier
this year – but the deal is believed to include a get-out clause
that would allow him to leave if he
was offered a big job from abroad.
He will turn 44 on Thursday – the same age Ferguson was when he
arrived from Aberdeen to become the most successful manager in
United’s history.