Laurent Blanc Declines Morocco National Team Coaching Offer

It’s official! Expected on the bench of the Atlas Lions, Laurent Blanc has rejected the contract proposed by the Committee of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). Free from any commitment since June 2016 and his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, the former Bordeaux coach traveled to discuss with the officials of the Atlas Lions. But no agreement could be reached. Fouzi Lekjaâ’s proposal did not interest the former coach of the French national team. Blanc himself informed the president of the Moroccan Football Federation.

While the FRMF is now focusing on the former Nantes player, Vahid Halilhodzic (67 years old), the 53-year-old world champion 1998 was considered too greedy to succeed his compatriot. On extended vacation since his departure from PSG, the former French international, who made a name for himself by coaching major clubs and the French national team, would have made a "staggering" request, for lack of a real interest in the job.

After three seasons at the head of the Girondins de Bordeaux (2007-2010) and two years as coach of the French national team (2010-2012), Laurent Blanc coached PSG for three seasons (2013-2016).

The position of coach of the Moroccan national team has been vacant for several weeks, following the resignation of Hervé Renard. On July 25, the FRMF had promised to announce the name of Renard’s successor in early August.