Pires: Blanc will be good for PSG

Former France international Robert Pires believes that Laurent Blanc has the tools to be successful at Paris Saint-Germain.

Blanc appears set to be named as the new manager of the Ligue 1 champions after the former Bordeaux boss confirmed that he was to have talks with the club.

Pires was team-mates with Blanc in the France team that won the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and the UEFA European Championship in 2000.

The ex-Arsenal man believes that Blanc, who parted company with the national team following a disappointing spell as manager in June 2012, can repair his somewhat damaged reputation at PSG.

“With the French team he certainly made mistakes,” Pires told RMC.

“But he knows that, he’s aware of that. It’s certainly going to be a lesson to him. He knows that PSG are very strong and have big characters. It’s up to him to handle the dressing room well.

“The question is whether or not he can do that. I think he can, because he has experience. He’s a young coach, but he knows what winning means. He proved it as a player and at Bordeaux. I think it’s good news for PSG. He also knows that there will be big expectations of him.”

Blanc was reportedly way down PSG’s list of targets to replace Ancelotti but Pires does not think that will affect the 47-year-old.

“He knows that he wasn’t among their priorities, because a lot of names have been mentioned,” Pires added.

“It’s a new step for him, a step up. He’s going to be able to show that he can handle a dressing room with great players with strong personalities, and for some of them, a lot of ego. But I have confidence in him because he’s got experience.

“We’re talking about Laurent Blanc. A bloke who’s played in France, Spain, Italy, and in England. He played under a great coach in Alex Ferguson. The players will have respect for him.

“People talk about Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but I think he’s an intelligent boy and he knows that dialogue between the two will be important.”