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. 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. From: AFP