UEFA Cup contenders FC Girondins de Bordeaux have responded to coach Laurent Blanc's plea for support by extending his contract, as well as that of experienced assistant Jean-Louis Gasset, for a further two seasons.

First job
Blanc, who was given his debut role as a head coach by Bordeaux in June 2007, and Gasset have signed deals keeping them at Stade Chaban-Delmas until summer 2011. The 43-year-old FIFA World Cup winner led the club to the runners-up spot in Ligue 1 in his first season in charge earning a UEFA Champions League berth in the process. His side have continued to impress this season and again sit second in the domestic standings, just a point behind champions Olympique Lyonnais. Blanc's new deal comes a week after he told French television: "We have committed to a goal of finishing in the top two every year but need the resources to do it." Bordeaux meet Galatasaray AŞ in a UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie next month after finishing third in their UEFA Champions League group.