Laurent Blanc’s agent is trying to make sure that Newcastle United are aware of his interest in replacing Rafa Benitez at St James’ Park, according to Chronicle journalist Chris Waugh.
The reporter claims that Blanc, 53, and ex-Lyon manager Bruno Genesio are interested in becoming the next Newcastle manager with Benitez in the final week of his contract at the club.
“At some point, however, that must change if Benitez does decide to go – and the likes of ex-Lyon boss Bruno Genesio and former Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc are among those managers whose representatives have been keen for Newcastle to be aware of their availability,” said Waugh via the Chronicle website [03:14pm].
Blanc’s most recent role in management was at Paris Saint-Germain, who he left in 2016 after being sacked.
OPINION
Neither of these are names for Newcastle fans to be excited about. Although Blanc has managed PSG and the French national team, he hardly pulled up trees when in charge of either of them. Newcastle’s best bet is to try and emulate what they have in Benitez. It will be very tough to do that but getting in someone who has experience of the Premier League and is able to work on small budgets. Blanc failed at PSG, one of the richest clubs in the world, so what chance would he have working under Mike Ashley’s financial restrictions? Genesio might be a better bet. Although he has never managed in England, he did do a decent job with Lyon and managed to get the best out of some of the club’s younger players. Newcastle fans should pray that Ashley leaves them first are foremost with there being talks underway about a potential takeover. If that happens then there might be better managers available to be hired.
