The Frenchman revealed that he would be unlikely to consider coaching a national side, but could be tempted to return to football as an assistant coach

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona says he does not envy France coach Didier Deschamps’ job of attempting to bring together a group of players capable of winning the World Cup.

Deschamps has six months to prepare his side for the tournament in Brazil, having qualified via a play-off at the expense of Ukraine in November, and has been pitted alongside Ecuador, Honduras and Switzerland in Group E.

However, Cantona, who has turned his hand to acting since retiring in 1997 from the game, believes the job is made all the more difficult, given the little time coaches have together with their players.

“Leading a national team? No thank you,” Cantona is quoted as saying by Le Figaro.

“It is difficult to lead players who are together just one week every two months and do not play with each other the rest of the time.

“This is the strength of the team of Spain: it has eight Barcelona players who train together all year.”

However, the former France international did not rule out the possibility of coaching in the future, he said: “If I had to recommit myself to football, I would rather it be at a club where I could lead the team on a daily basis.

“Perhaps I’d consider committing myself to Saint-Etienne or Lens, the only clubs in France that resemble the English clubs.”

According to Goal