The President of the French Football Federation (FFF) has insisted in an interview with Le Monde that national team coach Laurent Blanc is not affected by the ongoing uncertainty over his future.
Blanc became France coach following Les Bleus' disastrous 2010 World Cup campaign but his contract is due to expire this summer and he has yet to agree to a new deal.
The 46-year-old had hoped to sign an extension before this summer's European Championship gets underway on June 8 but FFF president Noel Le Graet prefers to wait and see how Les Bleus perform in Poland and Ukraine.
Le Graet denies that the situation could have a negative impact on Blanc and on the France squad's chances of enjoying a successful tournament.
"No, Laurent Blanc is not some kid. he is a big boy. He knows what he wants. He is not some guy looking for a job on the minimum wage," Le Graet told the daily.
"I have been lucky enough to know him since 1994, when I was president of the League (LFP). He cannot be destabilised by a yes or a no.
"Either he has a good Euro and he gets an offer from the FFF or he gets a good offer from a club and there is nothing I can do to stop him."
Le Graet added that the fact that Blanc shares the same agent, Jean-Pierre Bernes, as several of his players is "not healthy."
"From a legal viewpoint, if I were to be asked whether I thought it was healthy, my answer would be no," he said.
"I would prefer it if such a situation did not exist. But regarding Laurent Blanc, I am convinced of his integrity in this matter."
Blanc was quoted by Le Parisien last week as saying that he could be tempted by an offer from elsewhere.
"I often hear it said that it's the owner who decides whether or not to extend the contract of a player or a coach. I agree but we often forget that the employee can also decide," Blanc said.
Source: AFP
