Former France defender Laurent Blanc has been appointed the new coach of Bordeaux, the Ligue 1 club confirmed.
Blanc, 41, was a member of the France squads that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship.
He replaces Brazilian coach Ricardo, who has moved on to Monaco.
“This is a challenge and I’m very excited,” Blanc said. “I had been waiting for a proposal like this for a long time.
“It’s a tough job and I’m just starting it but I think I have found just the right club,” he added.
“It’s very different from being a player. I lack experience but I’m open to ideas and I’m sure what I learned as a player will help me.”
Under Ricardo, Bordeaux finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season and won the French League Cup.
Blanc said he had no plans to overhaul the squad he has inherited.
“Bordeaux have a strong squad and I don’t want to change everything,” he said. “What I want to do is move the group we have a step forward.”
