Bordeaux take a chance on Blanc

FC Girondins de Bordeaux have handed Laurent Blanc his first coaching position with the former FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship winner replacing Ricardo Gomes.

Long wait

Successful career
Capped 97 times by France, the 41-year-old Blanc completed a professional coaching degree last season and has put pen on paper on a two-year contract with the French League Cup holders, who will play in the UEFA Cup following their victory against Olympique Lyonnais. After starting out at Montpellier HSC, Blanc enjoyed a glittering playing career at clubs including FC Barcelona, Olympique de Marseille and FC Internazionale Milano before retiring at Manchester United FC in 2003.

Ricardo departure
Ricardo, 42, returned from a holiday in his native country Brazil earlier this week and was appointed to the top job at AS Monaco FC yesterday. In two years with Bordeaux he guided the club to their first appearance in the UEFA Champions League in six seasons after finishing second in Ligue 1 in 2005/06. Monaco had previously parted company with Laurent Banide, the man who ensured their Ligue 1 status after a shaky start to the season. Blanc will be assisted by the 54-year-old Jean-Louis Gasset, an experienced coach who has previously led SM Caen, Montpellier and FC Istres.