Coaching dilemmas facing French and Dutch Euro flops

The 46-year-old will be out of contract tomorrow and reports suggesting he may leave the post following Les Bleus’ quarter-final exit at Euro 2012.

Blanc spent much of yesterday in a meeting with FFF president Noel le Graet, and the governing body have announced both parties will take time to consider their respective positions.

The FFF had earlier announced they will hold their own meeting on July 3 to discuss the team’s results in Poland and Ukraine.

France’s Euro 2012 was overshadowed by reports of dressing-room unrest and infighting.

News surfaced of players being at loggerheads following the Group D loss to Sweden, with Blanc later admitting things “had kicked off a bit” in the immediate aftermath of the 2-0 reverse, which left Les Bleus as runners-up behind England.

The quarter-final exit at the hands of defending champions Spain sparked further reports of bust-ups, while midfielder Samir Nasri also came under the spotlight for an expletive-laden rant at reporters.

Nasri later apologised for the outburst, but the incidents were reminders of France’s shambolic 2010 World Cup campaign and player mutiny under former coach Raymond Domenech.

However, Les Bleus captain Hugo Lloris leapt to the defence of his national team-mates, saying they should not be judged on those reports.

Speculation is already rife over who will replace Bert van Marwijk as Holland coach and there are no shortage of candidates.

Van Marwijk stood down from his role following a disappointing Euro 2012, in which which Oranje were knocked out at the group stage after losing all their matches.

The candidates to succeed the 60-year-old include Ronald Koeman, Ruud Gullit, Frank de Boer, Guus Hiddink, Louis van Gaal, Co Adriaanse and Frank Rijkaard.

The chairman of the Dutch FA (KNVB), Bert van Oostveen, has said that whoever steps in must be from Holland.

When asked whether Holland would look to appoint a foreign coach, Van Oostveen told AD: “It would be a travesty for the image of our national football.”

Van Gaal, Rijkaard and Hiddink have taken charge of the national team before, although the latter’s tenure ended in disappointment after Holland failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Gullit is not renowned for being an outstanding head coach, with disappointing spells at Feyenoord and Los Angeles Galaxy recently, but the 49-year-old had a glittering playing career, which could make him a popular choice.

Former Twente coach Adriaanse is unemployed but could be a viable option because he prefers to play attacking football, with his methods guiding unheralded Dutch club Willem II into the Champions League in 1999.

Feyenoord coach Koeman and Ajax’s De Boer have already ruled themselves out of the running, with the latter paying tribute to Van Marwijk.

The former Ajax and Barcelona defender served as Van Marwijk’s assistant at the 2010 World Cup.