Delighted Ancelotti replaces Kombouaré at PSG
Friday, December 30, 2011
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"I am delighted and very enthusiastic about this project," said Carlo Ancelotti after being unveiled as the replacement for Antoine Kombouaré as coach of Paris Saint-Germain FC.
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Paris Saint Germain FC have unveiled Carlo Ancelotti as their new coach after parting company with Antoine Kombouaré, who leaves his post with the club lying three points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
Ancelotti's appointment, and that of his new assistant Claude Makelele, the former PSG midfielder, was announced at a press conference on Friday where the Italian expressed his excitement at the new challenge facing him in the French capital. "I think I can do good work here," said Ancelotti. "We have all the conditions to succeed. I am delighted and very enthusiastic about this project."
Although it is the 52-year-old's first taste of Ligue 1 football, Ancelotti has enjoyed great success as a coach, guiding AC Milan to the 2004 Serie A title and UEFA Champions League triumphs in 2003 and 2007. The former Italian international, who also won the European Champion Clubs' Cup twice with the Rossoneri as a player, left Milan for Chelsea FC in 2009 and led the Blues to the Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season in charge before being dismissed after a second-placed finish the following season.
Kombouaré makes way despite the capital club sitting three points clear at the Ligue 1 summit going into the winter break. The 48-year-old succeeded Paul Le Guen in May 2009 and guided PSG to a Coupe de France triumph against AS Monaco in his first season in charge.
Expectation levels rose at the beginning of this campaign with high-profile signings such as Kevin Gameiro, Javier Pastore and Jérémy Menez a statement of the new Qatari owners' intent. Les Rouge et Bleu failed to qualify for the UEFA Europa League last 32, though, but look down on everyone else in France thanks a 1-0 win at AS Saint-Étienne and Montpellier Hérault SC's surprise 4-2 defeat against Évian Thonon Gaillard FC on 21 December.
The French club released a statement saying: "After two years in which he served as PSG coach with passion, Antoine Kombouaré has left as of this date. PSG would like to thank him for the professionalism he has shown throughout his work and expresses its best wishes for his success in his new endeavours."
