Manchester United have reportedly added Laurent Blanc to their list of potential successors to Louis van Gaal, who still has over a year left on his contract.
The Dutchman has come in for fierce criticism this season, despite the Reds still in contention for the Premier League title. But their UEFA Champions League campaign ended miserably at the group stage, whilst the football they have played for the majority of his tenure has led to supporters calling for him to be replaced before his contract reaches a climax at the end of next term.
When Jose Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea it was widely thought that the Portuguese could be lined up as an immediate successor, but more than three weeks later he has still not been approached and van Gaal remains in position. But the pressure to deliver at least a top-four finish and possibly even a trophy remains, as does the speculation that he is on borrowed time.
As well as Mourinho, it has been well documented that United could turn to Pep Guardiola, who will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season, although the Spaniard is being widely tipped to join rivals City. Carlo Ancelotti is out of the equation as he will, in turn, head to the Allianz Arena, but Argentine Diego Simeone could be a target if he can be persuaded to leave Atletico Madrid.
And now, according to Le10Sport, the Reds have also considered the merits of Blanc. The former France international had a spell at Old Trafford as a player from 2001 to 2003, and whilst he was arguably past his best, he did help Sir Alex Ferguson’s side win the Premier League title. So not only is he familiar with the club and its huge expectations, he also has experience of English football.
HIs first managerial position came in 2007 when he took the Bordeaux job, and after leading them to second-place in his first season, he went one better the following campaign when he delivered a first Ligue 1 title since 1999. HIs next assignment was a two-year stint in charge of the France national side, leading them to a quarter-final place at Euro 2012 where they lost to eventual winners Spain.
A year later he joined his current club, Paris St Germain, replacing Carlo Ancelotti who had left for Real Madrid. He has guided the capital club to the Ligue 1 title in both of his two complete seasons so far, as well as helping them to the Coupe de France and two Coupe de la Ligue trophies. Chelsea await them in the last-16 of the UEFA Champions League, a competition he feels his side can win.
Blanc’s current contract at the Parc des Princes is due to expire in June, meaning United could lure him back to Manchester without having to pay any compensation. Although PSG are hopeful of persuading the 50-year-old to sign a fresh deal, the longer their man has not signed on the dotted line the more the speculation is likely to continue, and possibly increase if van Gaal’s struggles do the same.
