Loic Courteau linked with Andy Murray coaching job

Andy Murray parted company with two members of his coaching team last month. Picture: PA

Courteau, 50, spent six years coaching Amelie Mauresmo, who succeeded Ivan Lendl as Murray’s coach during the summer, and the pair remain close.

Courteau is currently coaching Julien Benneteau, who had the best year of his career in 2014 at the age of 33.

He confirmed he will be with Benneteau at the Australian Open but has not ruled out taking up a position with Murray after that.

Courteau told l’Equipe: “A few weeks ago, I had discussions with Amelie, who spoke with Andy. I had not been able to talk directly with him, as he was leaving the Philippines (after playing in the International Premier Tennis League).

“It (the plan) was to work with him in the year, with a base in England. For the moment, it does not happen. I’m not saying it will not happen, because I do not know.

“But at the Australian Open, I will be with Julien. Today it is a very interesting challenge to lead Murray and, in addition, with Amelie, it is fabulous.

“It would be necessary for Murray to make me an offer that I can’t refuse to go there. I talked straight to Julien. Anyway, with his experience, Julien could even go alone. If he was not autonomous, it would mean that I did a bad job.”

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Murray parted company with two long-serving members of his team last month in Dani Vallverdu, his long-time friend who became an assistant coach under Lendl, and physical trainer Jez Green.

That left Murray with a significantly reduced team of Mauresmo, physical trainer Matt Little and physio Shane Annun for his training camp in Miami.

Murray always intended to replace Vallverdu, who swiftly found a new role as coach of world number seven Tomas Berdych, but will take his time to find the right person to gel with both him and Mauresmo.

The Scot is now back home and will spend Christmas in the UK before heading to Dubai on Saturday ahead of his first event of the season, an exhibition in Abu Dhabi also featuring Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

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