Soccer : Laurent Blanc to replace Bruce Arena as US national team boss

Laurent Blanc won the World Cup with France in 1998

World Cup-winning Frenchman is being considered to replace Bruce Arena, who was axed after a disastrous qualifying campaign


FORMER Manchester United star Laurent Blanc has been lined up to become the United States national coach.

The World Cup-winning France defender has already managed Bordeaux, Paris Saint-Germain and the French national side.

US Soccer chiefs have now set their sights on Blanc as a replacement for Bruce Arena, who quit following the Americans' failure to qualify for the World Cup finals last week.

And the 51-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving PSG last year, is tempted by the opportunity.

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He was sounded out about coaching Major League Soccer clubs earlier this year, and has since snubbed offers to manage Turkish sides Fenerbahce and Antalyaspor.

Blanc spent two seasons at Old Trafford, making 75 appearances and helping United win the 2002-03 Premier League title before hanging up his boots.

AP:ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bruce Arena was axed after the US failed to reach Russia 2018

Well-informed France Football magazine now claims Blanc's name has been in the frame with US Soccer bosses since September.

US Under-20s coach Tab Ramos, Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes and Atalanta United boss Gerardo Martino have also been linked with the vacancy.

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But former Napoli, Barcelona and Inter Milan ace Blanc, who won 97 caps, leads the race to succeed Arena as the Americans seek to rebuild after missing out on the World Cup for the first time since 1986.