Blanc given task of replacing Ancelotti at PSG

Blanc given task of replacing Ancelotti at PSG

Laurent Blanc is Carlo Ancelotti's successor at Paris Saint-Germain FC, charged with "continuing the club's ascendency towards the summit of the European game".

Paris Saint-Germain FC have turned to former France coach Laurent Blanc following Carlo Ancelotti's departure for Real Madrid CF.

Ancelotti was unveiled as the man to replace José Mourinho in the Spanish capital on Tuesday lunchtime. PSG did not take long to confirm their own successor, securing the services of Blanc on a two-year deal. The ex-FC Girondins de Bordeaux boss will assume the reins on 1 July.

"The Paris Saint-Germain board has given Laurent Blanc the mission to build on last season and to continue the club's ascendency towards the summit of the European game," read a club statement. PSG won their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years last term and also reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, where they lost out to FC Barcelona.

Blanc enjoyed a decorated playing career before taking to the dugout, winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2000 with his country. He represented an illustrious band of clubs including FC Barcelona, Manchester United FC and FC Internazionale Milano, winning top-flight championships in England and France.

The 47-year-old enjoyed further success as a coach, steering Bordeaux to the Ligue 1 title in 2009. He subsequently took over the France national team and guided them to the last eight of UEFA EURO 2012. Blanc's new club will go straight into the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League group stage.

Ancelotti leaves PSG to take over at Madrid

Ancelotti leaves PSG to take over at Madrid

Nine-time European champions Real Madrid CF have named four-time winner Carlo Ancelotti as coach after Paris Saint-Germain FC agreed to part company with the 54-year-old.

Carlo Ancelotti has been unveiled as José Mourinho's replacement as Real Madrid CF coach after French champions Paris Saint-Germain FC parted company with the 54-year-old contract having agreed a deal with Laurent Blanc.

Ancelotti, formerly in charge of Juventus, AC Milan and Chelsea FC, arrives at the Santiago Bernabéu following the departure of Mourinho, whose three-season spell in charge of the nine-time European champions ended last month. He has agreed a three-year deal with Madrid and will be formally presented on Wednesday.

Ancelotti, who has also been at the helm of AC Reggiana 1919 and Parma FC during a coaching career that began in 1995, led PSG to their first top-flight title in 19 years last term. It was his first full season in Paris, having taken the reins in December 2011. He also steered PSG to last season's UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, where they lost to FC Barcelona on away goals.

Ancelotti enjoyed huge success while a player with Milan, winning both the Scudetto and the European Cup on two occasions (he also won the title and four Coppa Italias with AS Roma). He emulated those achievements as coach, guiding the Rossoneri to Serie A glory in 2004 and UEFA Champions League triumphs in 2003 and 2007. He left Milan for Chelsea in 2009 and oversaw a Premier League and FA Cup double in his first campaign.

The former Italy midfielder's new employers finished second in the Spanish Liga last season and were knocked out in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the third year in a row. The Merengues will begin their 2013/14 UEFA Champions League campaign in the group stage.