By PA Sport Staff

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If Jacques Santini fancies himself as French national coach he need look no further than his Lyon boss for a reference.

Les Gones president Jean-Michel Aulas has paid glowing tribute to the man who took his club to their first-ever league title in May before moving upstairs at the Stade Gerland.

Aulas said Santini, now Lyon's sporting director, would make an excellent successor to Roger Lemerre as Les Bleus coach.

"He (Santini) would be a very good France coach," Aulas said in Le Parisien.

"He has all the qualities to be a great success.

"Few French coaches have such a good cv. Of course the decision is not mine but Federation president Claude Simonet's.

"But if the job was offered to him (Santini) I would release him immediately, even if he is still contracted to us for four seasons.

"Santini has given a lot to Lyon and I would not prevent him leaving after all the good services he's done for us.

"I met Simonet on Monday night and I told him my feelings about Santini."

Former France international Alain Giresse is also rumoured to be a strong contender for the national job if Lemerre decides to step down after Les Bleus, the reigning champions, failed at the first hurdle in the current World Cup.

Lemerre met the French Football Federation 10 days ago and was given until July 5 to decide whether he wants to see out his contract which expires in June 2004.