Courbis back in control at Ajaccio
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Article summary
Rolland Courbis has returned from Russian side FC Alania Vladikavkaz to take charge of his former club, AC Ajaccio.
Article body
'No other team'
The 51-year-old has left FC Alania Vladikavkaz to rejoin the Corsican team on a one-year deal with the option of an extension. "I would not have come back for any other club," he insisted.
Bijotat dismissed
Ajaccio first contacted Courbis - their coach in the 2001/02 and 2002/03 seasons - following the dismissal of Dominique Bijotat on 21 September. However, given Alania's precarious position in the Russian Premier League, Courbis remained at Alania where he was contracted until the end of the 2004 campaign.
Safety first
Today, though, with the Vladikavkav club looking safe from relegation - six points and five places above the drop zone with three matches remaining - he has been released and replaces caretaker coach Olivier Pantaloni in the Ajaccio hot-seat.
Solitary win
Ironically, the former Olymique de Marseille, FC Girondins de Bordeaux and RC Lens trainer joins another struggling club. Ajaccio lie third from bottom in Ligue 1, although their fortunes revived somewhat under Pantaloni who led the team to their only league win of the campaign.
