Florent Malouda praises new France boss
France winger Florent Malouda has praised Laurent Blanc, insisting that the new national team coach has brought a better atmosphere to the camp.
The Chelsea star was quoted by France Football as saying that: "Having talked with him, I don't think Blanc will be patient. He is demanding quick results to improve and develop a good atmosphere around
Les Bleus."
He drew a contrast between him and disgraced former coach Raymond Domenech.
"(Blanc’s) character is quite different to Raymond Domenech. A few months ago, there was a very negative atmosphere around Les Bleus — it is not the case anymore. That heaviness was not only due to the
coach, but also our bad results. But Blanc has brought serenity, structures of work and a calmer atmosphere."
The new positive outlook marks a vast change from the poisonous dressing-room spirit which hung over previous coach Domenech’s reign.
A disastrous 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign, in which France failed to win any of their three group stage games in South Africa, was made worse by a situation which saw Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka sent
home from the camp after insulting the manager. As a result of that decision, the rest of the squad boycotted a training session, with several players later receiving suspensions from the France Football Federation.
Malouda proud to be captain
Patrice Evra is one of the players who was issued with a lengthy ban for his part in the revolt and Malouda has been named captain of the side in his place.
Malouda added that he thought Evra wasn't acting maliciously.
"Evra is not someone nasty who used his position for bad purposes and led the group to disaster.
The armband is not essential, in my eyes.
But, with or without the armband Blanc can rely on me. Being named captain against Belarus means that in three months I have gone from rebel to captain, gang leader to doyen. The armband has been a pride. When I came back to England, people said: 'So here is
the captain.' I felt I had represented France."
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