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#3 Laurent Blanc
The former Manchester United player is currently unattached to a managerial position and could be a great addition to Old Trafford because he is familiar with the ways of the club. And there’s a glowing testimonial to the Frenchman’s managerial qualities, by none other than the Legendary Sir Alex Ferguson himself, in an interview in 2012. Blanc was supposedly even in contention for the United job on Sir Alex’s advise, at the end of the 2013/14 season, but the United Board opted for Van Gaal.
It is not hard to see why the legendary Scot had such high regards for the French defender. A World Cup and Euro winner, Blanc spent two years at United and was an integral part of the United team that won the 2002/03 Premier League. Blanc has been quite successful in his managerial career too, winning the Ligue 1 with Bordeaux and 3 back to back Ligue 1 titles with PSG, including a host of other trophies in France, becoming one of the most successful managers at PSG.
The only concern with his appointment would be the lack of European success, but Blanc is an exceptional leader and he is certainly the type of character United need right now. His knowledge of the Premier League would be an added bonus, but it must be said that the league has changed a lot since he last played here.
Manchester United would certainly be benefited by the presence of Laurent Blanc at the helm of matters at Old Trafford. It remains to be seen if the United Board are willing to take a little risk and invest on the Frenchman – an investment which certainly has the potential to return its weight in gold.
What the papers say: By the end of August, the odds of Blanc replacing Mourinho at Manchester United had been cut from 25/1 to just 8/1. There are no other rumours in the papers as of now.
