SOCCER DIGEST:LAURENT Blanc is being lined up to replace Raymond Domenech as the France coach after the World Cup finals and is expected to be officially introduced on Thursday.
“Girondins Bordeaux have been informed by Laurent Blanc that he wanted to answer favourably to the French federation’s solicitation to become the France coach, a club statement said. “Girondins Bordeaux expect to hear from the federation on the question of the compensation linked to the release of their coach.”
Blanc started playing with Montpellier and played for Barcelona, Marseille, Internazionale and Manchester United, among others.
Capello intent on staying
FABIO Capello wants to continue as England coach through to the 2012 European Championships, the Italian said as he prepares for next month’s World Cup finals.
“I see my name in a lot of newspapers in Spain, in Italy,” Capello was quoted as saying. “I am happy here with the FA. I like this job, I like this country, I don’t think about the future.
“I have a contract with the FA, my contract will finish whenever, whatever happens unless the FA decide to sack me.
“Now we are arriving at the most important moment. I understand the pressure, the confidence of the country in this team and it is really exciting. I am very focused,” he said.
Triesman steps down from FA
ENGLISH FA chairman David Triesman resigned yesterday following a damaging newspaper report in which he suggested Spain and Russia were planning to bribe referees at next month’s World Cup finals.
On a dark day for the hierarchy of English soccer, the FA said in a statement that the 66-year-old Triesman had left his post just hours after he stood down as head of the country’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Former FA chairman Geoff Thompson was last night appointed chairman of England’s 2018 World Cup bid following .
David Dein, the former Arsenal vice-chairman, was tasked with expanding his role as the bid’s international president.
African Nations goes to odd years
THE African Nations Cup will be played in odd years from 2013, the Confederation of African Football confirmed yesterday.
The decision was confirmed as the CAF Executive Committee met in Cairo. It means there will now be tournaments in back-to-back years in 2012 and 2013.
Libya, originally due to host the 2014 tournament, will remain hosts for the 2013 edition.
TOTTENHAMcaptain Ledley King has signed a new deal with the Premier League club, keeping him at White Hart Lane until 2012.
The 29-year-old England defender has made 290 first-team appearances since turning professional with Spurs in 1998.
