France ask Laurent Blanc to replace Raymond Domenech as coach

Laurent Blanc has been offered the chance to replace Raymond Domenech as France coach after the World Cup and will make a decision at the end of the season, according to a report. L'Equipe today quoted the France Football Federation president, Jean-Pierre Escalettes, as saying the ball is now in Blanc's court, and he will decide at the end of the Ligue 1 season. Speaking prior to Bordeaux's 1-0 win over Toulouse yesterday, Escalettes said: "Laurent Blanc is under contract until 2011. There are four Ligue 1 games remaining, we must let him work in peace. Then he will decide. No one will decide for him." Blanc, who played for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United between 2001 and his retirement in 2003, is considered among the leading candidates for the manager's job at Old Trafford whenever the Scot retires. Earlier this year Ferguson advised him not to move into international management. "I think Laurent has a lot of things to do before taking this kind of role," he said. "This is his first season as a champion and managing his team in the Champions League. He should stay at Bordeaux." Domenech, the often controversial incumbent France coach , is set to leave his post after the World Cup.