Blanc lined up for manager´s job
Monday, 09 February 2004
Teams:
Marseille
by Adam Marshall
Laurent Blanc has emerged as a strong contender to become Marseille´s new manager in the summer, possibly working alongside a coach.
The former Manchester United centre back is being considered as a possible recruit by l´OM, who replaced Alain Perrin with youth team boss Jose Anigo on January 14.
Anigo is set to continue in charge of the Stade Velodrome outfit until the end of the season, but Blanc, who retired at the end of the 2002-2003 campaign, is reportedly a target for influential shareholder Robert Louis-Dreyfus.
There is every prospect that Anigo would stay on under any new regime involving Blanc, who represented the club with distinction between 1997 and 1999.
The 38-year-old won 96 caps for his country and enjoys legendary status among French football supporters.
When preparing to retire, he said: " At the end of the season, I will take a break. I gave a lot during all those years on the pitch, and to give a lot again, I need to go back, enjoy time with my family, and go fishing.
" I won´t hurry, but I know me, it won´t last for ten years.
" If someone proposes me something exceptional for next season, as was the case for Didier Deschamps at Monaco, I probably wouldn’t refuse.
" Some things you just can´t refuse."
Marseille were also recently credited with an interest in former Bordeaux boss Elie Baup.