Laurent Blanc and Jean Tigana, two former France stars, appear to be in a two-horse race to succeed Jacques Santini as coach of Les Bleus. Tigana appears to be out in front after receiving the backing of Michel Platini, his former team-mate and now vice-president of the French Football Federation (FFF). Tigana starred in France's 1984 European Championship-winning side, and has the advantage of management experience at Monaco and Fulham. But now FFF president Claude Simonet has given Blanc's hopes a boost despite the World Cup and European championship winner's lack of any coaching experience. "He could be a good coach. I tell myself that such a candidacy shouldn't be rejected," said Simonet. Platini himself coached the national team as his first management role before moving into an administration role. What Michel Platini could do, it seems to me that Laurent Blanc, whose qualities are equally enormous, could maybe also try," said Simonet.