Blanc would have been France number two

Domenech was keen on bringing the legendary French defender in as his number two should he have been handed the reins of Les Bleus, a job that was instead given to Jacques Santini.

Blanc may well have been tempted by the role - although Domenech was unable to use the potential appointment as leverage in his interview with French Football Federation president Claude Simonet.

Blanc has only just agreed a new one year extension to his contract with Manchester United, where he showed in the latter stages of the season why he had been brought to Old Trafford.

Blanc had considered retirement from football this summer, but was persuaded to stay on at Old Trafford, as manager Sir Alex Ferguson looks to win back the English title from Arsenal.

The iconic veteran retired from international football after taking the side to victory in Euro 2000, finishing just three caps short of a century and cementing his place as a French legend.