Kevin De Bruyne’s 76th-minute strike at the Etihad Stadium in the 2nd leg of 2015/16 Champions League quarter-final sent Laurent Blanc’s men packing. At the final whistle, it became almost certain that Blanc needs to find a new recruiter. His time at Paris Saint-Germain certainly up with yet another promising campaign in Europe coming to an end.
Despite having a world class squad and insatiable success in the domestic league, the dynamic Frenchman failed to make any change of fate in their fourth consecutive season. But success doesn’t come overnight. It is a process that takes time and composure and given both, Laurent Blanc can be one of the most revered coaches in the world.
While the next destination is not yet certain for Blanc, we become the imaginary scouting agent and list down five possibilities where we can find him giving instructions from the sideline sucking his lollipop.
#1 Belgium
Despite taking Belgium to top World ranking, Marc Wilmots failed to guide the team to its fairly deserved international success which eventually cost him the job. With potentially big names like Christian Benteke, Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Divock Origi mostly warming the bench, Laurent Blanc can just be the right man to use them and guide them to their formidable success in Russia at the next World Cup.
The attack-minded Blanc prefers to play with two center forwards up-front with a false 9 just behind them and three above the half line patrolling the midfield area. The current Belgium squad would fit Blanc’s roster perfectly that again will ensure more playing time for the unused pocket-sized grenades like Carrasco. As for the football world, Belgium can finally become the powerhouse they are known for.
#2 England
Deprived of any International success since 1966, England is in desperate search of a new manager (again) who can turn the tide for them.
To be fair, England had their best squad in this year’s European Championship since 1996 and yet it didn’t make any difference. Raheem Sterling’s continuous failure and Wayne Rooney’s past career record might be able to impress Roy Hodgson but that won’t be the case for Blanc. Blanc’s hunger for success and dynamic approach is the missing piece that can complete England’s maze.
While Hodgson was unable to use the venom from the likes of Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane, Adam Lallana and Dele Alli, Blanc is the man they need. With so many young talents in every position, Blanc can again chase his dream run of 1998 with France this time as a manager with England national team in 2018 World Cup in Russia.
#3 Netherlands
First time since 1984, the Oranje failed to qualify for the European Championship and it doesn’t require rocket science to understand that Danny Blind is on the verge of getting sacked. The Netherlands national football team needs a total reboot after their formidable run in the last two consecutive World Cups. And Laurent Blanc’s international experience might just do the trick for the Oranje this time.
During his time with France national team and Bordeaux, Blanc preferred to shape his team with more composed strategy than opting for a total offensive plan. With a bunch of young potential talents and a handful of experienced campaigners, they might just fit his 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 with double 6 systems.
And if it turns out to be the cherry on the cake for the Oranje then Blanc is the man who will guide them to the right way in the next World Cup in two years time. Who knows! Laurent Blanc might bring the success that the mighty Johan Cruyff couldn’t.
#4 Inter Milan
With José Mourinho, Inter Milan’s golden days are gone. The 18 times Serie A champions remained out of winning equation for the last six seasons. Their latest recruit Roberto Mancini failed to make any threat to the reigning champion Juventus and thus the hope of adding more silverware to their trophy shelf is still far away.
Laurent Blanc can be just the right man to challenge Massimiliano Allegri’s men with his bold offensive strategies. Inter Milan having a rich depth of squad with very much underrated talents who under proper guidance can out-muscle even the strongest of names from all over Europe.
Ivan Perisic and Eder showed what they are capable of in this year’s European Championship. Under the guidance of Blanc, Mauro Icardi can lead the team to their 19th domestic league trophy and moreover challenge Bianconeri’s one-way dominance.
#5 Arsenal
A Frenchman for a Frenchman with a little more appetite: The desperate need of every Gooner fan? Arsene Wenger is the man who created “The Invincibles” and took the trophy home in the 2003-04 season but since then it seems finishing in the top 4 and qualifying for the Champions League is what he eyes for. The Champions League never brought a sweeter memory for Wenger either.
While England is seriously considering Arsène Wenger for their next managerial role, Laurent Blanc can be the ideal replacement for the veteran Frenchman. Having arguably the most talented and consistent squad, Arsenal failed to produce any hope for their fans since 2003. Laurent Blanc might provide the answer for the sustainable cries with that extra bit of missing appetite.
With English Premier League acquiring some of the best managers this season from all over the world, the inclusion of Laurent Blanc will certainly add hope to the Gunners brigade for eyeing more than just qualifying for the Champions League.
