Laurent Blanc Profile
Laurent Robert Blanc, born Ales, France, November 19, 1965. Hailing from Languedoc-Roussillon, Laurent Blanc spent the first years of his professional football career playing for Montpellier before he left for Serie A team Napoli in 1991. Blanc returned to his homeland the following season, however, when he joined forces with Nimes Olympique where he accumulated 29 French League One appearances for The Crocodiles in the 1992-93 season.
Laurent Blanc eventually furthered his career by first moving to Saint Etienne, and then Auxerre, enjoying great success at both clubs. As his fame spread, the talented and versatile defender was signed by La Liga giants Barcelona for a transfer fee of £4 million at the beginning of the 1996–1997 campaign, but after a comparatively short spell at the Nou Camp he was brought to Olympique de Marseille by manager Rolland Courbis for a fee of around £2 million in August 1997. The Frenchman later appeared for Serie A outfit Inter Milan before he finally signed with reigning English Premier League Champions Manchester United in the summer of 2001. With United, the experienced campaigner notched up 48 Premiership appearances for The Reds and went on to win the Premier League in 2002-03. A dedicated and committed performer, he was given his international senior debut for France in a 0-0 friendly draw to the Republic of Ireland at Dalymount Park on the 7th of February 1989. The massive stopper proceeded to play 97 matches for his country and was a member of the team that won the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and the UEFA European Championship in 2000. Laurent Blanc Playing Career: Montpellier, Napoli, Nimes Olympique, Saint-Etienne, Auxerre, Barcelona, Olympique de Marseille, Inter Milan, Manchester United. Managing Career: Bordeaux, Paris Saint-Germain.
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