Soccer: Blanc contender for coach

Laurent Blanc is a strong candidate to replace Raymond Domenech as France coach after the World Cup, French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes said yesterday.

Escalettes also cited World Cup winner Didier Deschamps, former France midfielder Jean Tigana and assistant coach Alain Boghossian as possible replacements for Domenech, whose contract ends after this year's tournament in South Africa.