France

Laurent Blanc will be trying to restore France's reputation at the European Championship.

The former world and European champion was named France coach in the aftermath of its dismal 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa, where France recorded two defeats and one draw, with the players staging a strike to support Nicolas Anelka after he was kicked out of the squad for insulting then coach Raymond Domenech.

Blanc was dubbed "the president" during his glorious years as a player, yet it remains to be seen whether Euro 2012 will also serve as his bid for re-election.

He has been at French helm for two years and his contract may be extended should Les Bleus perform well. There is no guarantee of that, however, but hopes remain high even though they failed to win a single game at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

Moreover, while French Football Federation (FFF) president, Noel Le Graet, wants to see how France's Euro campaign unfolds, Blanc has been linked by the media to several top European clubs. His CV though has certainly been boosted by the way things have improved since 2010.

With one relatively easy-looking friendly to play, against Estonia in Le Mans, France was unbeaten in 20 matches since September 2010 and that run will be extended to 21 games if it avoids an unlikely defeat against Estonia.

Blanc has certainly steadied the ship after the FFF spent almost 1 million euros to fire Domenech, with the 46-year-old signing a 2-year deal with the objective of leading France to Euro 2012.

Blanc is a discreet, almost secretive figure, who takes a forensic approach to his job, considering every angle, but maintains a distance from his players.

His awkward statement on the need to have fewer tall, powerful Africa-born players stirred strong criticism and accusations of veiled racism, including from former teammates Lilian Thuram and Patrick Vieira.

Yet following a slow start - France lost its opening qualifier at home to Belarus - he completed his mission in leading his country to the event in Poland and Ukraine and asked for his contract to be renewed until the 2014 World Cup.

Reuters