Despite being drawn in tough groups, all three French clubs have proved to be a welcome surprise in this season's Champions League.

Lyon have qualified with games to spare and late goals in both matches against Liverpool may well demote Rafa Benitez's men to the Europa League.

Marseille were given no chance by pundits, but are still in there fighting despite being pitched alongside the giants of Real Madrid and AC Milan.

And under Laurent Blanc, Bordeaux remain undefeated and have already secured a place in the last 16.

In a group containing Bayern Munich and Juventus, they were only expected to take third spot and subsequent 'relegation' to the Europa League ahead of Maccabi Haifa.

But back-to-back wins over Bayern have not only helped atone for their UEFA Cup final defeat against the German outfit in 1996, but could also knock out the Bavarians from the competition altogether.

So why have Bordeaux gone from an average domestic side to one that is the champions of France and now feared in Europe?

Well it is no coincidence their upturn in fortune started with the arrival of Laurent Blanc two-and-a-half years ago.

After leading his side to second in Ligue 1 in his debut season, he ended Lyon's seven-year dominance the following year by taking the title.

They sit top of the table once again this time around and look stronger as they continue to build on their success.

The signing of playmaker Yoann Gourcuff is probably the most influential decision Blanc has made. The France international, aided by the brilliant Marouane Chamakh, has reinvented himself after an unhappy stint in Milan.

Gourcuff won the Player of the Year award last year and had a key role - either scoring or assisting - in more than half of all the goals scored for Bordeaux.

Gourcuff, speaking after the famous double over Bayern, puts their recent success down to experience, which has culminated in more belief.

He said: "Last year, we were left with some regrets over missed opportunities. I think we deserved to win some matches, but they were decided by experience and a little bit of naivety on our part.

"But we have learned from that. We've now got more experience, more maturity, and I think the fact we won the French title last season gave the players, the staff and the club confidence."

It is Blanc who is credited by many with this turnaround and his work has not gone unnoticed.

After his first year in charge he was offered the chance by Sir Alex Ferguson to take over the role as assistant manager at his old club Manchester United. That was politely refused, a decision that has paid dividends.

Blanc wants to be his own man; he wants to forge a successful career.

And it is hardly surprising to see what Blanc has achieved when someone with the pedigree of Ferguson wanted to work with him.

His preferred style of football is very similar to the one Manchester United are known for.

As Blanc said on the eve of winning last year's championship: "For me, playing football means having the ball, conjuring moves, harnessing your strengths, posing problems to your opponents, scoring goals and taking risks.

"Obviously I want to my team to win, but I also want them to play ball. That's a state of mind, a fundamental principle, and Manchester United and Barcelona share it."

Bordeaux are a well-organised unit, good on the counter attack and dangerous at set-pieces. Sure, they have spent a lot of money - £20 million in the summer alone - but it has been invested wisely.

As a player Blanc was nicknamed 'Le President' due to his leadership skills and he has transformed that into the coaching arena.

When he took over at Bordeaux the players were called back early from their summer holidays for extra fitness training. That may have unsettled some, but Blanc got away with it because of the respect he commands from his players.

His toughest task now is to keep his best players at the club.

Chamakh is expected to leave in the summer and the likes of Gourcuff and Yoan Gouffran will be hard to keep, especially if they continue to perform so well at the highest stage.

Blanc has similar ambitions to his players and would relish the opportunity to work at the same level he did as a player.

That level could be the Barclays Premier League and if he continues to impress, United could well come calling when Ferguson calls it a day.