Laurent Blanc
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Laurent Robert Blanc[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of birth | [2] | 19 November 1965||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Alès, France | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)[3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position(s) |
Centre-back[4] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1981–1983 | Montpellier | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1983–1991 | Montpellier | 243 | (76) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1991–1992 |
Napoli | 31 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1992–1993 | Nîmes | 29 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1993–1995 | Saint-Étienne | 70 | (18) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1995–1996 | Auxerre | 23 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1996–1997 | Barcelona | 28 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1997–1999 | Marseille | 63 | (14) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1999–2001 | Inter Milan | 67 | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2001–2003 | Manchester United | 48 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 602 | (125) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
International career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1989–2000 | France | 97 | (16) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Managerial career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007–2010 | Bordeaux | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010–2012 | France | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013–2016 | Paris Saint-Germain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020–2022 | Al-Rayyan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2022–2023 | Lyon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Laurent Robert Blanc (born 19 November 1965) is a French professional
Blanc played professional football for numerous clubs, including
He began his managerial career at
Club career
Early years
Blanc was born in
In 1991, Blanc tried his luck abroad when he left Montpellier for
Barcelona
Blanc's success at Auxerre drew the attention of several big European clubs. Blanc agreed to join
"Le Président"
Manchester United
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson had attempted to lure Blanc several times since 1996 and finally succeeded in August 2001 when, at the age of 35, Blanc was brought in to replace the departing Jaap Stam. He was criticised for poor performances in the early months of his stay at Old Trafford, when United suffered five defeats in the league by 1 December 2001 – with some critics even being keen to point out that the five teams who had beaten them in the league began with the letters which spelt out Blanc's surname – Bolton Wanderers, Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Chelsea. He initially arrived at Old Trafford on a one-year contract, and as his form and his team's form improved throughout the season (although it wasn't enough for United to catch Arsenal in the title race), he was eventually awarded a fresh one-year contract to give him a second season in Manchester. He was nicknamed "Larry White" by fans as a loose translation of his name.[9]
He scored four goals during his time at Manchester United. One of these came in the league against Tottenham Hotspur,[10] and the other three all came in the Champions League in games against Olympiacos[11] and Boavista (both home[12] and away).[13] Blanc retired from football after helping United win the 2002–03 FA Premier League title.[9]
International career
Blanc won the 1988 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, his team beating Greece in the final.[14] He was named the tournament's Golden Player by UEFA.[15]
On 7 February 1989, Blanc made his debut for the senior national team against the Republic of Ireland. France, then in reconstruction after the retirement of numerous key players, did not manage to qualify for the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Shortly after that, they started an impressive 19-game unbeaten streak, including eight wins out of eight in Euro 1992 qualifying, making them one of the favorites to win the competition. They would, however, get knocked out in the group stage by eventual winners Denmark.
After France
France then entered the
Blanc was also part of the team that won UEFA Euro 2000 during which, despite having been criticised for his age and lack of speed during the qualifications, he proved reliable in defence and even scored France's first goal of the tournament against Denmark in the group stage. He announced his retirement from international football after the competition, following the example of his captain Didier Deschamps. On 2 September 2000, Blanc, along with Deschamps and Bernard Lama, played his final match for Les Bleus in a friendly against England at the Stade de France.[16]
Blanc was well known for kissing good friend and goalkeeper Fabien Barthez's head before the start of every match, supposedly for good luck (the two did repeat this ritual when they played together for Manchester United, but only for Champions League matches). The France national team was unbeaten in all matches when it fielded the World Cup and European Championship winning defence of Blanc, Desailly, Lilian Thuram and Bixente Lizarazu.[17] Overall, Blanc recorded 97 caps and scored 16 goals. In 1999, the readers of France Football magazine voted him the fourth-best French player of all time, behind Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane and Raymond Kopa.
Managerial career
Bordeaux
On 8 June 2007, Blanc was named the new manager of Bordeaux, replacing Brazilian Ricardo Gomes. For his first season on the bench, he led the club to second place in Ligue 1 and won the Manager of the Year award. His second Ligue 1 season was extremely successful. Bordeaux won the final 11 league matches of the 2008–09 Ligue 1 season, setting a new French record for consecutive wins,[18] to clinch the Ligue 1 title three points clear of Olympique de Marseille. Bordeaux also won the 2008–09 Coupe de la Ligue. Blanc was again nominated for Manager of the Year but lost to Marseille manager Eric Gerets.
In the 2009–10 Champions League campaign, Blanc's Bordeaux topped a group featuring Juventus and Bayern Munich without losing a match.[19] After defeating Olympiacos in the Round of 16, they were eliminated by fellow French side Lyon in the quarter-finals.
France
On 16 May 2010, Blanc confirmed his departure from Bordeaux after three seasons in charge of the French outfit. After resigning from his position, Blanc contacted the
As he took charge of France, the Federation had decided to suspend all 23 players who took part in the South African World Cup, much to Blanc's regret.
Paris Saint-Germain
Blanc was appointed manager of
Blanc's second season in charge began with victory in the
Al-Rayyan
On 19 December 2020, Blanc was appointed as the head coach of Qatari club Al-Rayyan, replacing Uruguayan Diego Aguirre.[40]
On 13 February 2022, he was terminated because of poor results and replaced by Nicolás Córdova.[41]
Lyon
On 9 October 2022, Blanc was appointed as the manager of French club Lyon. He replaced outgoing Dutch manager Peter Bosz.[42] He was sacked by OL on 8 September 2023, after losing three of their four opening games, leaving them in last place.[43]
Career statistics
Club
Club | Season | League | Cup[a] | Europe[b] | Total | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Montpellier | 1983–84 | Division 2 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 15 | 0 | |
1984–85 | Division 2 | 32 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — | 33 | 5 | ||
1985–86 | Division 2 | 29 | 6 | 2 | 0 | — | 31 | 6 | ||
1986–87 | Division 2 | 34 | 18 | 1 | 0 | — | 35 | 18 | ||
1987–88 | Division 1 | 24 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | 25 | 6 | ||
1988–89 | Division 1 | 35 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 16 | |
1989–90 | Division 1 | 36 | 12 | 6 | 2 | — | 42 | 14 | ||
1990–91 | Division 1 | 38 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 46 | 15 | |
Total | 243 | 76 | 16 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 267 | 80 | ||
Napoli
|
1991–92
|
Serie A | 31 | 6 | 3 | 0 | — | 34 | 6 | |
Nîmes | 1992–93 | Division 1 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 30 | 1 | |
Saint-Étienne | 1993–94 | Division 1 | 33 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — | 34 | 5 | |
1994–95 | Division 1 | 37 | 13 | 2 | 0 | — | 39 | 13 | ||
Total | 70 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 18 | ||
Auxerre | 1995–96 | Division 1 | 23 | 2 | 8 | 2 | — | 31 | 4 | |
Barcelona | 1996–97 | La Liga | 28 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 38 | 1 |
Marseille | 1997–98 | Division 1 | 31 | 11 | 4 | 2 | — | 35 | 13 | |
1998–99 | Division 1 | 32 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 44 | 4 | |
Total | 63 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 79 | 17 | ||
Inter Milan | 1999–2000 | Serie A | 34 | 3 | 7 | 0 | — | 41 | 3 | |
2000–01 | Serie A | 33 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 44 | 3 | |
Total | 67 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 85 | 6 | ||
Manchester United | 2001–02 | Premier League | 29 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 2 | 46 | 3 |
2002–03 | Premier League | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 29 | 1 | |
Total | 48 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 3 | 75 | 4 | ||
Career total | 602 | 125 | 54 | 7 | 56 | 5 | 712 | 137 |
- League Cup, Supercopa de España
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League, Intercontinental Cup
International
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
France | 1989 | 6 | 1 |
1990 | 7 | 1 | |
1991 | 6 | 2 | |
1992 | 8 | 0 | |
1993 | 8 | 3 | |
1994 | 7 | 0 | |
1995 | 4 | 1 | |
1996 | 10 | 3 | |
1997 | 7 | 0 | |
1998 | 13 | 3 | |
1999 | 9 | 0 | |
2000 | 12 | 2 | |
Total | 97 | 16 |
Managerial statistics
- As of 3 September 2023
Team | Nat | From | To | Record | Ref | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |||||
Bordeaux | 8 June 2007 | 16 May 2010 | 159 | 93 | 31 | 35 | 261 | 160 | +101 | 58.49 | [48] | |
France | 2 July 2010 | 30 June 2012 | 31 | 17 | 8 | 6 | 43 | 22 | +21 | 54.84 | [49] | |
Paris Saint-Germain | 25 June 2013 | 27 June 2016 | 173 | 126 | 31 | 16 | 391 | 126 | +265 | 72.83 | [50] | |
Al-Rayyan | 19 December 2020 | 13 February 2022 | 51 | 19 | 10 | 22 | 70 | 73 | −3 | 37.25 | [51] | |
Lyon | 9 October 2022 | 8 September 2023 | 37 | 17 | 8 | 12 | 60 | 50 | +10 | 45.95 | [52] | |
Total | 451 | 272 | 88 | 91 | 825 | 431 | +394 | 60.31 |
Honours
Player
Montpellier
Auxerre
- Division 1: 1995–96[54]
- Coupe de France: 1995–96[54]
Barcelona
- Copa del Rey: 1996–97[citation needed]
- Supercopa de España: 1996[55]
- UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1996–97[56]
Manchester United
France U21
France
Individual
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship Golden Player: 1988[15]
- French Player of the Year: 1990[60]
- ESM Team of the Year: 1995–96, 1997–98, 1998–99[63]
- Pirata d'Oro (Inter Milan Player of the Year): 2000[64]
- Trophée d'honneur UNFP: 2004[65]
- Équipe type spéciale 20 ans des trophées UNFP: 2011[66]
- French Player of the Century: 4th place[60]
Manager
Bordeaux
- Ligue 1: 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16
- Coupe de France: 2014–15, 2015–16
- Coupe de la Ligue: 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16
- Trophée des Champions: 2013, 2014, 2015
Individual
- Ligue 1 Manager of the Year: 2008, 2015, 2016[73]
- French Manager of the Year: 2009, 2015[citation needed]
Orders
- Knight of the Legion of Honour: 1998[74]
References
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"Laurent Blanc". BFM Business (in French). NextInteractive. Retrieved 29 December 2020. - ^ "Laurent Blanc: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ^ "Laurent Blanc". L'Équipe. Paris. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
- ^ a b "Laurent Blanc". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ "Blanc's Bordeaux rise to the occasion". UEFA. 15 March 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ "Bordeaux hope this season is not Blanc's last hurrah". The National. 16 March 2010. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ "Laurent Blanc appointed new manager of France". BBC Sport. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2010.
- ^ "Montpellier win it for Nicollin". www.ligue1.com. 5 August 2017.
- ^ a b Lichfield, John (6 May 2011). "In black and white: Blanc is on the brink". The Independent. London. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
- ^ "Man Utd's amazing comeback". BBC Sport. 29 September 2001. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
- ^ "Man Utd go through". BBC Sport. 23 October 2002. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
- ^ "Man Utd stroll past Boavista". BBC Sport. 5 December 2001. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
- ^ "Man Utd top group". BBC Sport. 19 March 2002. Retrieved 4 November 2009.
- ^ a b "1988 Under-21 EURO: France sweep to final glory". UEFA. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
- ^ a b "1988 Under-21 EURO Golden Player: Laurent Blanc". Retrieved 15 July 2020.
- ^ "England give France a fright". The Guardian. 3 September 2000. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
- ^ Smith, Alan (26 June 2000). "Four of a kind for France". The Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
- ^ "Joy as Bordeaux end 10-year French title wait". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
- ^ "UEFA Champions League – 2010 standings". UEFA. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
- ^ "Accord Bordeaux-FFF pour Blanc". L'Equipe. 20 May 2010. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ^ "Laurent Blanc will leave Bordeaux to become France boss". BBC Sport. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
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- ^ "Laurent Blanc a signé deux ans". France Football. 26 June 2010. Archived from the original on 28 June 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
- ^ "Laurent Blanc : "Ce n'est évidemment pas la situation idéale"". Le Monde. 18 August 2010.
- ^ "Norway 2 – 1 France". ESPN Soccernet. 11 August 2010. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
- ^ "Laurent Blanc leaves job as France boss after Euro 2012 exit". BBC Sport. 30 June 2012.
- ^ "Carlo Ancelotti appointed Real Madrid boss and Blanc joins PSG". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ "Blanc wins first trophy with PSG". ESPN. 4 August 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
- ^ "Paris St-Germain v Lyon as it happened". Sky Sports News. 19 April 2014. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (8 April 2014). "Chelsea 2–0 Paris Saint-Germain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
- ^ "Paris St. Germain 1–2 Rennes". BBC Sport. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ "Laurent Blanc: Paris St-Germain coach signs new deal". BBC Sport. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ "Paris Saint-Germain beat Guingamp to win the Trophee des Champions". Sky Sports News. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
- ^ "PSG punish Bastia to retain Coupe de la Ligue". FIFA. Agence France-Presse. 11 April 2015. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
- ^ "Montpellier 1–2 Paris St G". BBC Sport. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
- ^ "Laurent Blanc extends contract at Paris Saint-Germain". Sky Sports.
- ^ [The club's president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi Laurent Blanc's future as manager of Paris Saint-Germain in doubt], Guardian, 3 June 2016. original (fr): VIDEO. PSG. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi : « Il est temps que ça change », Le Parisien.
- ^ "PSG part company with manager Laurent Blanc". The Guardian. 27 June 2016.
- ^ "Paris Saint-Germain part company with boss Laurent Blanc". Fox Sports. 27 June 2016.
- ^ "Former PSG boss Laurent Blanc resurfaces in Qatar at Al-Rayyan". RFI. 19 December 2020.
- ^ "Blanc booted out by Qatar club Al-Rayyan". theScore. 13 February 2022.
- ^ "Laurent Blanc, nouvel entraîneur de l'OL jusqu'en 2024". ol.fr (in French). 9 October 2022.
- ^ "Laurent Blanc mis à pied par l'OL" [Laurent Blanc dismissed by OL] (in French). L'Équipe. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ^ Laurent Blanc at Soccerbase
- ^ Endlar, Andrew. "Laurent Blanc". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
- ^ Blanc, Laurent at National-Football-Teams.com
- ^ Laurent Blanc – International Appearances Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation, 23 August 2001
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- ^ "Al Rayyan: Matches".
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- ^ a b Garin, Erik; Pierrend, José Luis (18 January 2018). "France – Footballer of the Year". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 8 October 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
- ^ "1992 team of the tournament". Union of European Football Associations. 17 October 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
- ^ a b "UEFA Euro report" (PDF). UEFA. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 November 2007.
- Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the originalon 15 March 2007.
- ^ Inter.it staff, inter(a t)inter.it (17 November 2006). "F.C. Internazionale Milano". Inter Milan. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
- ^ "Palmarès Trophées UNFP - Oscars du football - Trophée d'honneur UNFP". Archived from the original on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- ^ "Palmarès Trophées UNFP - Oscars du football - Trophée spécial UNFP". Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- ^ "Laurent Blanc thinks big at Bordeaux". The Guardian. 30 May 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "Bordeaux Destroy Vannes In Coupe de la Ligue Final". Goal. 25 April 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "BORDEAUX – LYON : LES COMPOS". rmcsport.bfmtv.com. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "Trophée des champions - Bordeaux-Guingamp, les compos". goal.com. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "Laurent Blanc 'handed £17m pay-off' after being sacked by PSG". Independent. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "Laurent Blanc to leave PSG before the end of the week, confirms agent". The Guardian. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "Palmarès Trophées UNFP - Oscars du football - Meilleur entraîneur de Ligue 1" (in French). Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
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External links
- Profile at FFF.fr
- Laurent Blanc at Soccerbase
- PSG Official Website Archived 9 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine (in English)