Laurent Blanc in talks with Abramovich in Chelsea move
It has emerged that France manager Laurent Blanc is being strongly considered for the Chelsea job.
Blanc, who will manage France at this summer’s Euro 2012, is among a host of top managers in the running to succeed Andre Villas-Boas on a permanent basis at Chelsea.
The manager also has experience of the Premier League as a player, playing for Chelsea’s rivals Manchester United until 2003. Sources claim this Premier League experience will be a vital part of the consideration process for the job.
Yet Blanc has also demonstrated his credentials as a manager, steering Bordeaux to a domestic league and cup double in the 2008-09 season. His French national side also comfortably progressed through the qualifying stages of Euro 2012. Indeed, throughout his managerial career, he has a win percentage of 60%.
Chelsea’s owner, Roman Abramovich, is believed to be impressed by Laurent Blanc, but there are plenty of other top candidates for the job. Indeed, fans have voiced their wishes for Roberto di Matteo to be given the job on a full-time basis after his Champions League and FA Cup successes. Abramovich also remains keen on former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who left Barcelona this season, but it is believed Guardiola is not interested in any managerial vacancies at present.
It has also been rumoured that former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is in contention for the job, although these rumours are unconfirmed. Indeed, it is believed that Abramovich deems other candidates stronger than Benitez, given the Spaniard’s disastrous tenure with Inter Milan and his bitter end to his career at Liverpool.
It is unlikely that Blanc will be announced as Chelsea manager before the Euro 2012 tournament, which begins next month, as he aims to manage his French side to glory. France managed to reach the final of Euro 2008, only to be denied on penalties by Italy.
Blanc will be focused entirely on rectifying that this summer, rather than the possibility of managing at Stamford Bridge next season.
