Domenech's replacement announced...but for post World Cup

So Escalettes has announced that the successor for Domenech. Too bad it is for after the World Cup instead of immediately...so who are the candidates? Blanc, Deschamps, Boghossian and Tigana. No surprises in the list. In addition Guy Roux and Arsene Wenger were included - both are long shots. Roux had been approached after the 1998 World Cup to run the team but declined. Wenger has always stated he rather stay at the club level and work with players daily - plus he could not go out and buy all the best talent from clubs' academies! What about the other 4 candidates...

Laurent Blanc - the head man for Bordeaux is clearly the darling manager of French football. With rumors of Manchester United in his future as well as the idea of him taking over the French national team on a part time basis (this rumor made the rounds after Domenech was pressured to leave post Ireland match) he being placed on the list is no surprise. Blanc is also part of the 98ers and carries a large amount of cache with the French public and footballing community. He has the credentials for the role, but might not have the length of services as some of the other candidates - having only managed since 2007. However I still think it is his job to lose. Odds - 2 to 1. My favorite Laurent Blanc moment -



Didier Deschamps - he used to be the darling of manager of French football, having managed Monaco to a Champions League final. His personal trophy case is nothing short of amazing - World Cup and European Cup champion, captained both winners, youngest captain to lift the Champions League with Marseilles (he won it again with Juventus), he won domestic titles in France and Italy as well as domestic cups. As a manager he led Monaco to a Champions League finals, won a domestic cup with Monaco and managed Juventus to a Serie B title. He has been managing since 2001 so more experience than his teammate Blanc. The fact he has managed in France and Italy should make him someone worth giving serious consideration, in addition he was the France skipper demonstrating the respect he commands. I think he might be the best candidate for the role - he has expressed strong interest, has the pedigree and the experience. 4 years ago he would be the clear favorite. Odds - 5 to 1

Alain Boghossian - the current assistant national team manager, many thought he was brought in to satisfy the 98ers...oh yeah he too has a World Cup winner's medal from 1998. He was a bit of a surprise when he was tapped to be an assistant manager since he had no previous experience as a manager - somewhat of a safe move for the FFF - bring in a member of the 1998 squad but one that never expressed ambition to manage the national side. It is hard to assess his impact on the squad or his ability as a coach. I think he has been mentioned on the short list...because he has to be...but I think he is the long shot of the 4. Odds - 20 to 1.

Jean Tigana - one of my favorite all time players, he was part of the "Carre Magique" from the 1980s with Platini, Giresse and Fernandez. He has a good managing career having guided Monaco, Lyon, Fulham and currently Besiktas (leading them to a league title in his first season). He has not always made the best talent decisions - Steve Marlet for 11.5m pounds??? Tigana remains a strong option, but with the strong candidates from the 1998 side he will be a distant 3rd in the pecking order. My favorite Tigana moment from the 1984 European Cup 1/2 finals, remember this was in the 120th minute of one of the most competitive and nail biting match -



Wenger would be great, but maybe what France should do is keep him on a retainer for scouting young talent and getting them to Clairefontaine, he could remain the manager for Arsenal but help Les Bleus find up and coming youth. He already turned down the offer, but has kept the door open. Roux would have been a great option 10 years ago, but I think he has lost his "fast ball" based on his showing managing Lens for a brief spell. Some outside options - Giresse who currently manages Gabon, Luis Fernandez who is a fiery manager or Paul Le Guen who manages Cameroon...these are all long long long shots....what about Hiddink? Hmmmm.

I think that in the end Deschamps will be the next manager. Why? I think Blanc will turn down the role. The fact he is strongly considered for the Manchester United job will give him much pause before taking over Les Bleus. Club jobs such as Manchester United come by very rarely in one's career - and coincides with your own rising fortune is the perfect storm. What if Blanc takes over Les Bleus and France do not qualify for the Euros? As quickly as one's stature is elevated so it can be knocked down. I think Blanc would want to be able to potentially take on a role like Manchester United while he can, such a chance might not be seen again for 10 years. As we all know, being a national team manager is not a long term role so Blanc would most likely get a chance to manage Les Bleus down the road. Where as Deschamps has been openly lobbying for the role for a long time...I think he would be a great manager for Les Bleus. He walks in with immediate respect having captained the side to World Cup and European Cup glory. Having managed in France and Italy gives him good insight into different elements of European footie. With the most likely retirement of Henry after the World Cup, France will be without an on field member of the 1998 class. Having the captain of that side manage the side would allow the success from those glory years to be infused in the next generation.

Too bad Deschamps cannot take over in January 2010 rather than August...