Blanc rumours ridiculed

FFF keen to play down link with Bordeaux boss

Last updated: 4th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Blanc rumours ridiculed

Blanc: Fans' favourite

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The France Football Federation has rubbished reports that Laurent Blanc is set to take their national post.

Rumours have been mounting for some time that the former World Cup-winning centre-half has agreed in principle to take the reins over the summer.

Raymond Domenech will lead Les Bleus into the World Cup finals in South Africa, but his reputation has taken a hammering over recent years and he has decided to step down at the end of the tournament.

Speculation regarding who will be brought in as his replacement has been doing the rounds for some time, with Bordeaux boss Blanc the overwhelming favourite.

The FFF is keen to bring an end to the misleading reports, though, with federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes insisting no approach has been made for the highly-rated coach.

"It's completely false," he told RMC.

Ridiculous

"It's ridiculous. Of course I completely deny it.

"Absolutely nothing justifies this type of rumour. It seems absurd to me.

"I have to ask myself what they are looking for with these type of rumours. It's doing wrong to the France team."

Blanc, who is under contract at Bordeaux until 2011, has also sought to play down the incessant rumours and has vowed to remain tight-lipped on the subject for the remainder of the season.

He said: "What do you want me to tell you? I said that I wouldn't speak about it any more, but I'll do so anyway out of politeness.

"I'll be very brief and very polite because that's what's needed: I deny everything that has been said. Full stop."