Laurent Blanc appointed manager of Paris Saint-Germain

Laurent Blanc, 47, has been named Paris Saint-Germain manager, according to various sources close to the club, on the 21/06/2013. He is expected to sign a one-year contract early next week, with an option for a second year, and will succeed Carlo Ancelotti who had been manager since 30/12/2011. The Italian is expected to join Real Madrid.

After an illustrious playing career from 1983 to 2003 at AS Saint-Etienne (1993-1995), Olympique de Marseille (1997-1999), Inter Milan (1999-2001), Manchester United (2001-2003) and for the French national side (97 caps, 16 goals), Laurent Blanc managed Bordeaux from 2007 to 2010. He won the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de la Ligue (domestic cup) in 2009 and the UNFP Trophy (National Union of Professional Footballers) for manager of the year in 2008.

Laurent Blanc was also coached the French national team from 2010 to 2012, reaching the quarter-finals of the European Championships in 2012 (lost to Spain 2-0).