PARIS (AP) — Laurent Blanc is stepping down as France’s soccer coach after deciding against renewing his two-year contract.
A brief statement by the French Football Federation says that Blanc contacted the body’s president, Noel Le Graet, on Saturday with his decision. The FFF said there would be no comment before a news conference on Tuesday.
The favorite to replace Blanc is former France captain Didier Deschamps, who is set to leave as Marseille manager after a difficult season.
Blanc took charge of France in July 2010 following the World Cup debacle in South Africa in which the players went on strike. He replaced Raymond Domenech and led France to the quarterfinals of the European Championship earlier this month before it lost 2-0 to defending champion Spain.
