Laurent Blanc To Be Next French Manager

Bordeaux Manager Laurent Blanc will accept the French Football Federation's offer and take over the French national team after this summer's World Cup. At Bordeaux Blanc, 44, achieved the French League and Cup double but finished a disappointing sixth in this year's campaign.

"Girondins Bordeaux have been informed by Laurent Blanc that he wanted to answer favorably to the French federation (FFF)'s solicitation to become the France coach," said Bordeaux in a statement. ""Girondins Bordeaux expect to hear from the FFF on the question of the compensation linked to the release of their coach."

Blanc was a member of France's 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Cup winning teams. "Blanc proved he was able to be in charge at club level. But coaching a national team is a different job," said current French manager Raymond Domenech. The French federation is expected to make their official announcement on Thursday.

Beckham Still Determining Role For England In South Africa

Despite being ruled out for Fabio Capello's squad due to injury, David Beckham has been offered a coaching position by the Italian manager. No word on what Beckham's precise role would be but the former captain described the offer as an "honor."

Beckham holds the record for caps for an outfield player with 115 but his hopes for playing in a fourth-straight World Cup were ended due to an Achilles injury while playing for AC Milan.

Beckham has been focusing on his duties as vice president for England's 2018 World Cup bid. He presented England's bid book to FIFA last week where he discussed his new role. "To represent them off the field is something new, and something special and something I'm enjoying," he said.

Clinton Backs USA Bid

Former-president of the United States Bill Clinton has been named honorary chairman of the U.S. 2018/2022 World Cup bid. The U.S. is competing with nine other nations to host one of the two World Cup bids to be awarded Dec. 2.

Clinton was president during USA 94, the last time the U.S. hosted the World Cup. "In my travels around the world - from the dirt fields of Lusaka, Zambia, to playgrounds in schools across America - I've seen the transformative power soccer has to bring people together and transform lives on and off the field," said Clinton in a press conference outside the Harlem FC offices.

Dick Advocaat Secures Russian Coaching Job

Dick Advocaat is set to be unveiled as the new coach of the Russian national team, succeeding fellow Dutchman Guus Hiddink. Advocaat resigned last month as Belgium head coach after only six months on the job.

“Advocaat will arrive in Moscow on Tuesday and will be presented to our executive board,” Sergei Fursenko, the Russian FA president said. “His task would be to lead our team to the finals of both Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup. He’s a real workaholic. He knows all our [top] players which is a big plus.”

Hiddink will resign his post effective June 30 after failing to guide Russia to the World Cup following a two-legged defeat to Slovenia.

Additional Articles

A guide to the nightlife in Durban, South Africa (Goal.com)

Bob Bradley discusses U.S. National Team as camp opens (Soccer By Ives)

Japan's World Cup bid includes a heavy dose of Avatar (World Cup Blog)

South African air security brought into question (BBC)

World Cup hopefuls train at high altitude (Sports Illustrated)

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On Friday December 4th at 9:45am ET, Adidas will be hosting a webcast featuring Sepp Blatter, Franz Beckenbauer and David Beckham to officially unveil the 2010 World Cup match day ball live from South Africa. The three will hand the ball over to the local organizing officials.

The event will run approximately 20 minutes. After the event, there will be a brief interlude before it switches to replay mode, allowing those who missed the launch to watch the press conference highlights.

Be sure to watch it here on World Cup Buzz!

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The England manager, Fabio Capello has just announced his England squad as follows:

England squad to play Andorra and Croatia:
Robinson (Blackburn), James (Portsmouth), Green (West Ham); Lescott (Everton), Bridge (Chelsea), A Cole (Chelsea), Terry (Chelsea), Brown (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Johnson (Portsmouth), Upson (West Ham); Barry (Aston Villa), J Cole (Chelsea), Lampard (Chelsea), Bullard (Fulham), Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Downing (Middlesbrough), Bentley (Tottenham), Jenas (Tottenham); Walcott (Arsenal), Rooney (Manchester United), Defoe (Portsmouth), Heskey (Wigan).

 The notable exception is Michael Owen, which begs the question; is this move just to show he's boss? It seems Steve McClarenesque; McClaren dropped Beckham to show everyone that he was his own man, and look what happened to him!

Leaving Owen out is a ludicrous move; he is the most prolific England striker in recent memory, and even when he is not 100% fit he still manages to score where other, less efficient, forwards would make a hash of it. This may come back to bite Capello on the backside.

David Beckham keeps his place; this continuation seems odd as Beckham is well past his best, and by 2010 it is unlikely that his fitness will allow him to play a full and active role in the World Cup. It also stops youngsters, who could be playing and gaining experience for the tournament, coming through the ranks.

Emile Heskey is another questionable choice; he seems to be at his best for England when he is working in tandem with Michael Owen, and that scenario is obviously not going to happen. Heskey has had a good solid career and he is a reliable workhorse, but is he up to the standard England expects?

By picking this squad Capello has put his neck on the line, and if England crash and burn he will be the only one accountable.

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