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Football

Blanc wins support of president


PARIS, France -- Former France internationals Laurent Blanc and Jean Tigana have emerged as the favorites to succeed Jacques Santini following France's humiliating early exit from the European Championships.

Santini signed a contract with Tottenham prior to the competition and will join the London-based Premiership club in the coming weeks

French Football Federation president Claude Simonet has said that he is impressed with the credentials of World Cup winner Blanc.

"His cv should be examined thoroughly," Simonet told Europe 1 radio, citing the example of Monaco coach Didier Deschamps as an example.

"Some of my close entourage believe that Blanc could be a good coach for the international team.

"I just think we can't discard a dossier like his when you see the success that Didier Deschamps has had with Monaco."

Deschamps, a former France team-mate of Blanc, had only been a coach two seasons before leading Monaco to the Champions League final.

Blanc, who missed the 1998 World Cup final victory because he was suspended for being sent off in the semifinal against Croatia, was in the team that won the Euro 2000 trophy, but has not followed Deschamps into club management.

However Simonet said Blanc's lack of experience was of little importance, citing Michel Platini - who coached France from 1988 to 1992 - as an example.

"Platini became a quality coach after he'd only just retired from a career in which he'd carried out no other functions except for playing.

"Blanc, who also has great qualities, has the capacity to follow in Platini's footsteps."

Simonet however said he would weigh up Blanc's bid along with those of Tigana, and former Senegal coach Bruno Metsu - the current coach of United Arab Emirates club Al-Ain who said Saturday he would slash his salary to be given the "honor and privilege" to coach France.

"But I'm not ruling out those of Tigana or any others," added Simonet.

"He merits a close look. I've got less experience with Tigana than I've had with Blanc, although that doesn't mean I've already made up my mind."

Platini has already expressed his wish to see former Fulham and Monaco coach Tigana take charge of France, who are set to undergo a player revolution in the coming years with the generation that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 titles being weeded out.

Simonet has the final word on who will take over as France coach. The FFF president said he will make his choice some time in mid-July.


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