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PSG confirm Laurent Blanc as coach

French champions Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Laurent Blanc as coach, with the former national team manager signing a two-year contract.

Paris: French champions Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Laurent Blanc as coach, with the former national team manager signing a two-year contract.
The television channel BeInSport, also owned by the club`s Qatari owners, let the cat out of the bag last Friday, announcing an "agreement" between the Paris side and Blanc. PSG said in a short statement that a news conference would be held "soon". The French Ligue 1 winners` announcement came just moments before Real Madrid said that Carlo Ancelotti would take over from Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu. Blanc, 45, has been out of a job since leaving his role in charge of the French national team following their disappointing quarter-final exit at Euro 2012. The former defender, who won the World Cup with France in 1998, has previously had professional coaching experience at Bordeaux from 2007-2010, leading them to the Ligue 1 title in 2009. Ancelotti had been a target as Mourinho`s replacement after announcing in May that he wanted to leave the Parc des Princes after 18 months in charge. PSG have reportedly been linked to a number of coaches since then, including Mourinho before his move back to Chelsea, Rafael Benitez before he headed to Napoli and Russia boss Fabio Capello. Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas was also said to have been in the frame. Blanc was also said to have been in talks with Roma until the Serie A side chose former Lille boss Rudi Garcia. AFP