Yesterday I argued Guus Hiddink would be a good replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson. I still would take him as our manager no questions asked but I suppose the flaws with the argument are that Fergie might not be ready to go when Guus’ Russian contract is finished and it’s not as if he’s a spring chicken.
So that means we turn to former players. Steve Bruce, Roy Keane, Mark Hughes… nah. Laurent Blanc is the man we want.
Reasons for Blanc to be our next manager:
1. He’s a former red who has played under Sir Alex Ferguson. He has learnt from the master.
2. He’s only 43-years-old, similar to the age Sir Alex was when he took over, meaning we could have a good 20+ years out of him.
3. In his first season with Bordeaux he lead them to second in the league, won the Trophée des Champions, and was voted manager of the year, four points away from the winners Lyon. The season before he took over they finished sixth, 24 points away from the champions.
4. In his second season with Bordeaux he won the league, breaking the dominance of Lyon who had won the league every season for the past seven years. You might say he knocked Lyon off their perch… Or it could be compared with breaking the Rangers-Celtic dominance in Scotland…
5. Whilst he didn’t do great work on the field for United, he was instrumental off it, with Sir Alex discussion tactics with the Frenchman. Ferguson also claimed Blanc was a good influence and helpful to players like Rio Ferdinand.
6. “When I was a player my philosophy was always to play an attractive style,” he said last year. “Even though I was a defender, I liked to play the ball whenever I could. I was lucky enough to work with some coaches who advocated that same style, especially Sir Alex. When you are Manchester United, you have the players to play like that. It is easier for him than others because of the players he can call on. I am in contact with him a lot. We tell each other about our teams and talk about English and French players. His knowledge of players in France always astonishes me. For me it is a question of principle. I want my team to play with the same philosophy as me.”
7. His intended managerial career path is to do well in France, succeed abroad (I’m happy for him to succeed with us), then return to coach the national team. He has a clause in his contract which would allow him to leave if a big club came asking.
8. Zinedine Zidane has recommended Blanc for the Real Madrid job.
9. “For me, playing football means having the ball, conjuring moves, harnessing your strengths, posing problems to your opponents, scoring goals and taking risks,” he said last week. “Obviously I want my team to win, but I also want them to play ball. That’s a state of mind, a fundamental principle, and Manchester United and Barcelona share it.”
Larry White, join us again?
Man Utd News 24/7
I wouldn’t mind “Larry White” as our manager in the future.
Scott you have mentioned some excellent points about Blanc. but how about Blanc being the no.2 for Fergie next season and then going on to replace the Legend at some time. doubt he will accept being the no.2 now. it really depends on how long Fergie will still be in charge of United. Blanc will get a better offer sooner rather than later, that’s for sure.
Definitely has potential Scott – but he’s still unproven. I think we need someone with more than 2 good years under their belt.
He needs to move away from the French league to really show his class.
Good shout Wazza – Blanc being number 2 would be the ultimate way to learn the trade from the master.
He’s a born winner and was a class player. If Fergie is the one who will eventually decide upon his own replacement then Laurent Blanc will be pretty close to the top of the list if not at the top! It’ll be interesting to see how he does next year and if he can improve in the Champions league.
hadnt really considered blanc before but he sounds like a decent option .
but scott , lets not have these daily ferguson replacement posts…GHTT was already morbid after the previous one
I think Fergie would be doing a disservice to UTD if he retired when HE wanted to. He should retire when a suitable person/manager becomes available. If Fergie retires at a time when no competently proven manager is available, UTD could finish up with someone such as Bruce, Hughes, or heaven forbid, Mourinho.
Last summer i wanted Larry White to become Fergie’s number two with the prospect of some day taking over.If he keeps having success like this,he won’t accept being anyone’s number two.
BrisbaneRed – Surely Fergie has earned the right to retire whenever he wants?! I can’t see him holding off his retirement plans just so the board can pick the right replacement. He’ll retire whenever he feels the time is right for him and nobody could argue against that.
I agree with Wazza! I think Blanc could be a great shout but whoever it eventually will be should be brought in as number 2 then slowely integrated into the helm!
My biggest concern is someone like Mourhino coming in and wanting to stamp their authority & identity and in doing so changing personnel, staff, players, style (defensive in his case) that don’t fit his “way”.
Whoever comes in needs to be integrated & believe whole heartedly in the Utd way… Attacking attractive football and confidence in youth!
Blanc is def a great option if available at right time!
I also would like to see Quiroz back in some capacity too!
i dont think queiroz has the manager capability we are looking for.. look at his time in Real for instance.. but Blanc? he’s perfect, a winner.
I’ve been saying for a while that ‘Larry White’ was the one to watch of the Utd ex-players in management.
He’s doing the business for Bordeaux, I doubt he’d go to Real as he seems to be a manager who likes to be in control so when he wants to move up I think it’ll be a straight choice between Barca and us.
Sir ryan giggs for the next manager 5 years time.
Scott, I watched that game on Setanta last night, and he has got them playing some slick football. As soon as the final whistle went, I thought this guy has the credentials to be a United manager. You have to have something about you to be able to stop the dominence of a club like Lyon. I rated him as a player, and now I rate him equally as a Manager. Congratulations to Blanc and Bordeuax.
Paul Le Guen was a God over there. There were even idiot United fans demanding Fergie was sacked and he was appointed a few years ago – while we were building this side.
I would be very wary.
Its time that SAF goes along with the class of 92 all legends but time moves on our youngsters arent geting expiereinc because of our senior players i know it is a risk but a worth whil 1 if you look at it maybe 1 season or 2 of no succes kind of like that time kean and becks left we need to rebiuld and not be sentimental in basic terms we need 2 see Rodrigo,Anderson,the twins,nani,evans etc on a more regular basis so they can fulfil their potential.
Scott great article mate.
Only thing is that we have to understand that nobody can just come in and replace SAF as manager. He is a dying breed and he is all but the last one of his generation.
To avoid the problem of United going through a patch when they are going through a transition due to SAF leaving he needs to get a number 2 who he can mentor for a few seasons before he retires. I know it sound stupid now but Quieroz was that man.
If Blanc comes to United it will have to be initially as number 2 for about 3 years and then he can become manager.
All this talk of ex united players who are unproven or just not good enough should be thrown out. Cantona – the legend he was is unproven. although the Geordies were living the dream with Shearer as manager it didn’t really amount to much as he has no track record. Bruce and Keane and Hughes are all just not good enough. How harsh does that sound?! It’s the truth though!
Hiddink is almost as old as SAF and if we were to have another manager make him someone who is younger who will be here for another 25 years.
Slaven Bilic
Not to take anything away from Blanc and Bordeaux, but I must say Lyon had a really poor season, even Marseille finished above them. That said, Bordeaux did get a point more than Lyon did the previous year when they won, so well done to the man. Would like to see how he manages in the CL next season.
Return to United or not, I’ll always remember him for playing a huge part in one of my all-time favorite United games – the 5-3 defeat of Spurs in 2001 iirc. Absolutely legendary.
i wrote an article about possible SAF replacements on ” A kick in the Grass” a while ago, maybe RoM could put up a link to it. It’s a bit old, but esentially, similar!
Must say: CarlozQuieroz would be welcomed back into the fold to take back the number 2 job, he seems to be the only one who is able to keep Ronnie and Nani happy and playing well. Certainly brings out the best in the Portugese speakingplayers.
Larry White wouldbe a good replacement for SAF, but i think he has to show a bit of consistancy in the Bordeoux job, another top 2 finish, if he can’t retain the title, and get to to the knock-out stages of the Champs League, before he can be a serious contender for the OT hotseat!
1st reason i would like to see Mr Blanc on ous bench is he currently opperates on a low budget so he knows what to buy,whats required unlike SAF who spent the entire summer on Berbatov instead of getting us a DMF or a Michael essien, look what happned when he got Gourcuf from Milan.
2ndly i think he would bring a more technical system which will alow us 2 compete with teams internationaly that play keep ball.
Lastley i think he would value Rooneys pottential a lot more than SAF i hate it that part of SAF becaus its almost like he designs the team to play for Cr7 and players like rooney are sacrifised,becaus personaly i believe that rooney played in the right system and position is overall better then Ronaldo and would give messi a run for his money
It would be intresting to see how does Laurent fare in the Ch.League next season.
gotta agree with costas, the rate at which he his getting success he won’t like becoming No.2, i guess.!
Slaven Bilic is an interesting one Nemanja.Actually i rate him quite high.But i am of the opinion that whoever replaces SAF,will have to know the inner workings of the club.That means that they will have to sit next to the boss for a year or two.Would Blanc or Bilic be willing to take a step back for a year or two?
why talk about this at this time?
all chinese mu fans support Sir Alex to overcome the hardship!
He already rejected no.2 position when Queiroz left.. 20years of Blanc? There will never be a manager who lasts that long in my opinion. This reign of Sir Alex Ferguson is history in the making
David Moyes for me. Young, hungry, bright, articulate, workaholic,passionate and ambitious.
Not much European experience but a quick learner.
He will understand the history of the club and doesn’nt want to be a media star like Mourinho.
Nor will he want to just fuck off when the Virus come calling.
Breaking news……..Danny Welbeck ruled out of the European Under-21 Championships through injury.
When SAF leaves, there has to be a clean break. None of this “mentoring” because that leaves the new guy with someone looking over his shoulder and ends up really messy and uncomfortable for all concerned.
I think that David Moyes has the right stuff but I don’t think he’ll get the nod.
Of the former players then Ole-Gunnar is a no-brainer; only Steve Bruce has done a job elsewhere.
The two dark horses are Owen Coyle who has done a fantastic job with Burnley and SAF’s son Darren who has been just brilliant at Peterborough.
But this is just speculation – whoever replaces THE LEGEND has very large shoes to fill. And, the successor will be surrounded by sharks-in-the-water since everyone will want him to fail.
@chinared-
No one here is disputing the belief that Sir Alex will overcome the ‘hardship’ as you’ve termed it. N.B- repeat to self: 3 trophies/18 titles!!!
It’s inevitable that one day Sir Alex will retire (thus far he’s dedicated 23yrs of his life!)- as scary as that thought may be, it is definitely one that United fans are rightly concerned about and want to discuss – however unpleasant the thought may be…
Im still with CQ he knows the club , liked by the players will be well aware of any politics involved with the board etc.
fergie aint retiring for years, and i think the barca result just pushed his retirement plans back an extra 5 years,he is an addict
i dont know about all this mentoring stuff,if it was that simple anyone could do the job after a quick apprentiship, a manager takes the job because he believes in his own ideas and his own methods of motivating the players, for someone to just carry on in the exact same mould as fergie they would have to be able to give out the hair dryer and i think those days are gone unless your dealing with an original such as fergie or george graham one of them disciplinarian types
@Denton
I agree that all this talk of mentoring would be detrimental.
The media spotlight will turn to the no. 2 and players will be become confused as to who is actually in charge.
Darren Ferguson has been brilliant and has potential maybe in 5 years.
I have a problem with “legends” becoming the manager, it rarely works out.
It may have worked at Barca but somehow I see it as being a complete disaster for us.
If Shearer becomes permanent manager at Newcastle they will be playing League2 football within two years
I have always thought Blanc was valuable to us. Although what he was able to contribute on the pitch was limited considering his age, but he seemed to have a big influence off it. Any wonder Rio has the style of play of Blanc? And the fact that he managed to break the monopoly of Lyon says much about his credentials. Definitely one to look out for, especially as he test himself in Europe next season. I would have my shortlist as such
Moyes
Blanc
Ferguson Jr
And as much as you hate it, Mourinho is still in with a shout
I’m ruling out emotional choices like Ole, Keane & Cantona, purely for the fact they are only being mentioned because some of us allow our heart to rule our heads. I also have my concerns about so many of us wanting them to come in as a No.2 to learn. I believe whoever is to take over, like many of you have mentioned, needs to break free of the shadow of Sir Alex. The last thing they need is to live in that shadow for 1-2 years. Whoever is coming in, will have to come in and do his work, that’s why we are shorting them isn’t it? Because they have done wonders in their own way, not Sir Alex’s way
Whoever made the point about Le Guen is absolutely spot on. Nobody talks about Le Guen anymore. I’d rather we got someone who has already proven himself in the Premiership – which means David Moyes.
Other interesting facts about Blanc:
-He’s all for giving youth chance to play – as proved by the importance of Marouane Chamak in the team, and how he broke the bank to keep Gourcuff.
-He is more a “manager” type of leader rather than a coach. All the coaching
David Moyes will be tactically limited imho.
Mispost…
Continueing about Blanc:
All the coaching and training would be delegated to other staff members.
Unfortunately, he would also be very dull in post match interviews and stuff.
So what about Paul Le Guen? He’s still a very good manager. Managed to make PSG reach the top 5 after a season flirting with relegation and he also transformed a small side (I think it was Rennes – comparable to say Wigan) to european contenders; and last but not least, was the manager originally responsible for fostering Lyon’s utter dominanace of the league.
Has anyone forgotten the manager who just won the champions league? A rooky, unprooven, a risk. But my goodness what a team. I mean if he had a defence it would be the best. I know they won it, but UTD have the better all-round team.
He was an ex-player who knew about the club.
Sounds like a great recipe for me. So stay away Mourinho.
Blanc would be great. Cantona is the dream, but i’m not sure.
We have to play football in the right way there is no question there’s no doubt. So Blanc has to be near the top of the list.
Check out Le Guen’s Wikipedia page – the man is overrated like anything. He flopped at Rangers and PSG have decided not to renew his contract.
Anyone who has Messi, Eto, Henry, Xavi & Inesta would get some decent results. Same as someone who has Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and won the World Cup, look where he is now?
I’d love Blanc to come in for next season and be our assistant and then after a few years working with Fergie was Sir Alex decides to call it a day he can step right into being our number 1.
For me Blanc would be a class manager, he knows all about United and the way we play our football and whats expected and he’s also got some experience under his belt by managing in france.
Seriously good call.
Colbert – He flopped at Rangers because the players were unwilling to follow his decisions – the players were unable/ did not want to make sacrifices for the collective and his tactics were not followed.
And most people / observers of Ligue1 are baffled at Psg’s decision not to renew his contract (but still the decision not to renew Eric Geret’s contract was even more baffling.)
Blanc certainly sounds promising – thanks for the insight, Scott.
Marq: !! “some decent results” Are your serious?? The first treble in Spain and playing the best football i’ve seen for a long time. Rikaard had the same players didn’t he??
Guardiola is still a rookie, but his tactics were superior to SAF that night.
So Blanc, who has loads of class, would have no problem stepping in. If he had our squad right now he’d be winning lots and lots.
David Moyes….. No question
Seein what he has done this season without any recognised strikers for most of it is amazing. He harnesses the perfect combination of attacking flair and defensive maturity and discipline. United need another no nonsence manager….. of all the old united players, before this article i would have chosen Bruce, but now you have got me thinking.
Moyes,
if not then Bruce/Blanc combination
He certainly looks like a good Manager and he always did have that kind of demeanour, I certainly like the idea but let’s not jump to conclusions. Also, we must remember that Scholes, Giggs, Neville and Fergie are supposedly leaving next year and, while the idea of a new Man United with a young team and manager, I’m not sure if the powers that be would be that happy with that kind of bet and would rather go for someone more experienced.
There’s actually quite a few experienced anagers on the market right now that could appeal more (not to me, but) to the Board, like Rijkaard, Van Basten, Mancini, Eriksson just to name a few.
My point is, its the players that make the team at Barcalona. Look what happened to Rikaard when Ronaldinho decide partying was more important. And as far as I am concerned, Guardiola did not win because he was more tactical, it was because they have better players, players who wanted it more. All he needed to do was to motivate them. For those who say, because of this match, Guardiola is better than Sir Alex, its crazy.
And contrary to what you all think as a tactical lost, Sir Alex lost because he tried to be too tactical! Whilst Guardiola simply told his players to go out and attack. If that is what you call being tactically superior, to tell your players to attack, I think anyone can do that. Just remember one thing thou, Barca are not even suppose to be in the final, Chelsea was the better team. Guardiola had no plan B against Chelsea, and only got through because of the ref.
Blanc is another story altogether, limited resources, average players, Champions, so he rates much much higher
How about Blanc as manager and Cantona as no.2 ?
Reason #8 alone is enough………
If Blanc would accept a year as Fergies number 2, then we should sign him now. Some people have mentioned Moyes and I pray it’s not an option. Blanc has all the right attributes, but I’d rather have Mourinho…
Blanc or Cantona whenever SAF leaves, someone is who will really be passionate about the team and lead them for further glory instead of the money
Pep winning the champions League in his first season has just given me every confidence that Cantona can come in a nd take charge when Fergie leaves the club.
how about we revolutionize and we appoint the first woman coach in harry redknapp’s wife?
apparently he showed darren bent how to score goals.