Ex-France midfielder Makélélé takes Bastia job

Former France midfielder Claude Makélélé has been appointed coach of Ligue 1 club SC Bastia.

The 41-year-old rejected a proposed extension to his deal as assistant coach at Paris Saint-Germain, a role he has held since retiring from playing in 2011, to take the post vacated by Frédéric Hantz earlier this month.

The Corsican outfit have not disclosed the length of contract the ex-FC Nantes, Olympique de Marseille, RC Celta de Vigo, Real Madrid CF, Chelsea FC and Paris player has signed.

"On behalf of the Paris Saint-Germain family and myself, I would like to thank Claude for his important contribution to our team's brilliant results, both in France and in Europe," said Paris president Nasser Al-Khalaifi. "We are all conscious of the role he played alongside Laurent Blanc and Carlo Ancelotti in the remarkable progression of the team."

Makélélé, capped 71 times by Les Bleus and a UEFA Champions League winner with Madrid in 2002, will take over a squad that finished tenth in the French top flight.