Complex sentence: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson had attempted to lure Blanc several times since 1996 and finally succeeded in 2001 when, at 35 years of age, Blanc was brought in to replace the departing Jaap Stam.
Split into simpler sentences: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson had attempted to lure Blanc several times since 1996 and finally succeeded in 2001. Despite his age of 35 years, Blanc was brought in to replace the departing Jaap Stam.