Malouda hopeful France can recover
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.France midfielder Florent Malouda is hoping the appointment of Laurent Blanc can restore Les Bleus' credibility.
It follows the team's exit at the group stage in South Africa with just one point and one goal to their name, a bust-up involving Nicolas Anelka and former coach Raymond Domenech which resulted in the Chelsea striker being expelled from the camp and a subsequent strike by the rest of the squad in protest at Anelka's expulsion.
Blanc's appointment had already been confirmed before the World Cup finals and Chelsea midfielder Malouda is optimistic he can get them back on the right track.
"I really hope and I think all the French now really hope that he [Laurent Blanc] can turn things in a positive way," he told Sky Sports News.
"There's a lot of expectation.
"People are aware it's going to be difficult but we need that - the nation needs that. So I hope he's going to be the man of the situation and will have everybody's help."
Looking back on the chaos in South Africa, and in particular the idea to boycott training, he added: "We were in a state of mind where we were reacting to something but it was the wrong decision.
"It was a big disaster and we are thinking about the future.
"It was like we didn't know how to get the results.
"We didn't know how to work on the confidence because there was a loss of confidence on the pitch. We were trying to find a solution but we didn't know where to start.
"To get the results you have to restore the confidence - the confidence in the manager, the confidence in the work you're putting in in training."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments