Ancelotti appointed PSG manager

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as the club's new coach.

The 52-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year contract and replaces Antoine Kombouare in the Parc des Princes hotseat.

He will also bring with him former Chelsea and France midfielder Claude Makelele and former AC Milan fitness coach Giovanni Mauri.

Speaking at a press conference alongside sporting director Leonardo on Friday, Ancelotti cited the lure of realising the potential of the French giants as his reasoning behind agreeing to take charge, despite numerous offers from England.

"I accepted the challenge because I think that I can do a good job and PSG can become a big club in Europe," said Ancelotti.

"I had plenty of calls regarding work in England and my experiences there were very good."

"However, everything is in place here to do very well and the club has great ambitions. I am attracted by the project."

PSG were recently given a significant cash injection by the Qatar Investment Authority, who purchased the club in May, and subsequently paved the way for heavy expenditure on new players.

However, while both parties have discussed the possibility of making more additions during January, Ancelotti revealed his priority is to bring attractive football to PSG, while discussing the chances of signing trio Alexandre Pato, Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda.

"I've not come here to change everything. PSG are top of Ligue 1. I want us to be dynamic, attractive but also efficient," he affirmed.

"I have good relationship with (Drogba and Malouda). But bringing them here is another thing. We've not spoken about them."

"Pato is a player with whom I've kept up great relations. It's that way with many of my old players," enthused Ancelotti. "But it pleased me when Pato spoke well of me."

"That said, he's a AC Milan player and for him to come, conditions must be met. Firstly, his club must want to sell him. Secondly it's necessary that there are conditions under which we can sign him."

Meanwhile, Leonardo offered an update on the situation of David Beckham, who has been linked with a move to PSG in recent weeks, and claimed that the decision lays with the Englishman.

"I believe that Beckham has an enormous impact among the media. But we've never said that it's done with him."

"We have a very good rapport, but I don’t know if that will work with David Beckham. For him, this is a familial choice. He is currently in LA, with his family."

"He must spend time there to reflect on his personal life, but nothing is done. I don't know what he'll do," he concluded.

Ancelotti's first match will be against former club AC Milan, in a glamour friendly clash in Dubai on January 4.

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Acelotti can make PSG a European Superpower

Fifa agent Fabrizio Ferrari believes that Carlo Ancelotti is capable of establishing Paris Saint-Germain as one of the top clubs in European football.

Ancelotti is expected to be confirmed as the French club’s new coach in the coming days, with the two-time Champions League winner widely reported to have accepted a lucrative two-and-a-half-year contract to succeed Antoine Kombouare at the helm.

The 52-year-old Italian has been out of the game since being sacked by Chelsea in May but Ferrari expects Ancelotti to waste little time in establishing the newly-flush PSG as one of Europe’s elite.

"I'm sure that Ancelotti will do very well,” the agent told Goal.com. “He is one of the strongest Italian coaches and all of his teams play good football.

“In his career he has only had the misfortune to arrive at a disadvantageous time at Chelsea, who had a team with a high average age.

“His arrival will change everything in French football. Although I would have liked to see Kombouare leading the team until the end of season, I am sure that with Ancelotti at PSG they will be established as one of the top seven clubs in Europe.”

Speculation is rife that Ancelotti will soon be joined in the French capital by a player he is familiar with from his days with AC Milan, Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato, who is seemingly on the verge of leaving San Siro.

Ferrari is in no doubt that the arrival of Pato could prove just as significant as that of Ancelotti.

“It’s certain that Pato would be ideal for PSG,” he reasoned. “The Brazilian is much better than Kevin Gameiro, who is a good player but not in the highest bracket [of strikers].

"Pato could really make a big difference in Ligue 1.”

Ancelotti won two Champions Leagues during his time with Milan before leaving for Chelsea in 2010. He led the Blues to a league and cup double in his first season at Stamford Bridge but was then unceremoniously fired by owner Roman Abramovich at the end of last season.

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Cole beleives staying at Lille makes sense

On-loan Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole insists it would "make sense" for him to remain with French side Lille at the end of the season.

Cole is currently on a season-long spell at the Ligue 1 champions and has made 15 appearances for Rudi Garcia's side so far, grabbing three goals in the process to aid Lille's run of 17 games unbeaten in France's top-flight.

Cole said he is enjoying life in Ligue 1 and can see himself becoming a more permanent fixture of the make-up of the French outfit, even after his loan deal expires.

"Right now, I'm really happy at Lille," Cole told Sky Sports News. "I'm playing, and I'm playing well, so basically everything's on track."

"If things continue like this, it would make sense for me to stay at Lille. In footballing terms, things are going really well, especially given the fact that I didn't play much for Liverpool last season."

"I've started off well here and I'm going to keep getting better and better."

Lille are third in Ligue 1, four points behind league-leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

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PSG targets Kaka for January transfers

Real Madrid striker Kaka has emerged as Paris Saint-Germain's chief target in the January transfer window.

The affluent club from the French capital indulged in a summer of intense spending, capturing Javier Pastore for 33.5 million pounds from Palermo as their crown jewel.

A similar spree is envisaged next month, and already PSG have been associated with Porto's Hulk and Carlos Tevez of Manchester City, among others.

However, it is Kaka who is top of their shopping list, according to Le Parisien newspaper.

Head coach Antoine Kombouare is set to be pushed aside by the Parc des Princes outfit, and the French media strongly suggest that Carlo Ancelotti will be their next coach.

The Italian has a strong link with Kaka from their time together at AC Milan, during which the Brazilian picked up the Ballon d'Or after leading his side to the 2006-07 Champions League crown.

Kaka has not enjoyed such fortune since moving to Spain.

Injury and a loss of form have hampered the 29-year-old, who is believed to be valued at 33.5m pounds, and accordingly he has fallen behind Mesut Ozil in the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu.

PSG have many historic ties to Brazil, with Rai and Ronaldinho both still icons and Nene presently starring in the starting team while Ceara plays a key role as well, and Kaka could help continue that tradition as they look to add depth to their squad.

Despite this, they lead Ligue 1 by three points over second-placed Montpellier.

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Ancelotti in talks with PSG

Paris Saint-Germain will hold talks with Carlo Ancelotti about becoming their new coach in the next few days, according to reports.

The Ligue 1 giants are set to sit down with the former AC Milan and Chelsea boss with under-fire Antoine Kombouare reportedly on the verge of being sacked.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, French league leaders PSG are likely to meet with Ancelotti just before the end of the year.

It is believed Ancelotti has assured sporting director Leonard he would have no qualms about working under him.

Big-spending PSG sit three points clear atop Ligue 1 after the first half of the campaign, but they did crash out in the group stage of the Europa League.

A 3-0 defeat to rivals Marseille at the end of November also prompted the club's Qatar owners to consider their options.

A statement from the club on Thursday said they had 'started amicable discussions' with Kombouare to resolve their situation.

Ancelotti has not managed since being sacked by Chelsea in May, while former Liverpool and Inter Milan boss Rafael Benitez has also been heavily linked to the job at Parc des Princes.

Italian Ancelotti has reportedly been on the radar of English Premier League side Tottenham, whose manager Harry Redknapp is favourite to succeed Fabio Capello for the England job.

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Ligue 1 wrap: PSG three points cleared at top

Paris Saint-Germain lead Ligue 1 by three points after a 1-0 win over Saint-Etienne on Wednesday, as Lille and Montpellier slipped up.

A goal just after the half-hour mark from Mathieu Bodmer was enough for Antoine Kombouare's men to seal the three points at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard and move the capital club clear of Montpellier, who were upset by Evian.

Lille drew 4-4 with Nice to pave the way for PSG's ascension.

Montpellier, on top of the Ligue 1 table heading into the match, suffered a 4-2 loss away to Evian.

All the goals came in the second half at the Parc des Sports in Annecy, with Younes Belhanda putting Montpellier in the lead two minutes after the break before Cedric Barbosa levelled for the hosts.

Olivier Giroud scored after 54 minutes to give Montpellier the ascendancy once more, but goals from Saber Khelifa, Cedric Cambon and Brice Dja Djedje made sure of the points for Evian.

Reigning champions Lille looked in control after nine minutes of their home clash with Nice when Aurelien Chedjou put them ahead, until a header from Reanto Civelli pulled Nice level just after 15 minutes.

Former Liverpool winger Joe Cole restored Lille's lead on 27 minutes, but a brace from Franck Djadjede ensured Nice held a 3-2 lead at half-time.

The match turned in the 71st minute when Nice winger Eric Mouloungui was sent off for his second yellow card, and Lille equalised five minutes later through Eden Hazard.

A Florent Balmont goal in the 88th minute looked to have secured all three points for the title holders, but there was one more twist in the tale as Francois Clerc snatched an equaliser for the visitors in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Fourth-placed Lyon suffered a 1-0 defeat at Valenciennes, after defender Aly Cissokho put the ball into his own net after 28 minutes.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, an injury-time goal from Tunisian attacker Issam Jomaa helped Auxerre secure a 2-2 draw at home to struggling Dijon, while a second-half strike from Jires Kembo Ekoko saw Stade Rennes defeat Bordeaux 1-0.

Ajaccio defeated Sochaux 2-0 at the Stade Auguste-Bonal, with Benjamin Andre and an own goal from Mathieu Peybernes doing the damage for the visitors.

Toulouse and Brest played out a scoreless draw, as did Lorient and Caen.

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Marseille face a 1-1 draw with Nancy

Marseille ensured they entered the Ligue 1 French winter break winners after overcoming Nancy 3-1 at Stade Marcel-Picot on Tuesday.

Goals from Mathieu Valbuena and Stephane Mbia gave the visitors a 2-1 lead at half-time, either side of a Reynald Lemaitre header for Nancy.

Marseille also had two goals chalked off in a lively game, but saw Lucho Gonzalez grab a third in injury time.

The hosts enjoyed the better of the early possession as Marseille struggled on the synthetic pitch. Djamel Bakar linked up well with Daniel Niculae, but the Romania international's attempted lob failed to beat Steve Mandanda in the opposing goal.

Marseille found their feet and took the lead after 18 minutes.

Valbuena, the architect of Saturday's thrilling 2-1 victory against Lorient, took possession of the ball before exchanging passes with Loic Remy.

He then calmly slotted under Guy N'Dy Assembe to make the score 1-0.

The hosts equalised seven minutes before the break, when a fine cross from Jean Calve picked out Lemaitre - who initially looked offside - to plant a header past Mandanda.

Parity did not last long, as the visitors issued a quick-fire response.

Morgan Amalfitano's delivery from the right wing met the head of a diving Mbia to score.

Shortly before half-time, a fine counter-attack from a Nancy corner saw Marseille sweep up the field and Amalfitano crossed in low for Andre Ayew to net.

But the effort was chalked off for offside as a lively half drew to a close, with Marseille leading 2-1.

Nancy began the second half the brighter outfit, and almost equalised again.

An inswinging delivery from Lemaitre's corner was headed powerfully goalwards by Andre Luiz, but the centre-back was thwarted by Mandanda.

The visitors subsequently had another goal chalked off. From a corner, Mbia was deemed to have controlled the ball with his arm before striking it past N'Dy Assembe and into the roof of the net.

Lucho Gonzalez added a third goal in stoppage time, after good work from Valbuena, to seal the three points.

Didier Deschamps' men move up to fifth on the table with 31 points, while Nancy stay 15th but could find themselves as low as 19th come the Ligue 1 break.

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Ligue 1 wrap: Lyon to third Spot

A slip-up from leaders Montpellier allowed Lyon to move within two points of them and into third place in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

Lyon shook off a tough challenge from Evian to win 2-1 at the Stade de Gerland, closing the gap on Montpellier, who were held 1-1 at home by Toulouse.

Lyon had the best of the early chances against Evian and it was no surprise when they made the breakthrough with Alexandre Lacazette weaving in between two defenders and setting up Jimmy Briand to score the opener after 35 minutes.

Controversy ensued minutes later as Lyon defender Anthony Reveilliere stopped a goalbound effort on the line with his hand but Remi Garde's side escaped a penalty and a red card.

Nevertheless, Bernard Casoni's men did equalise, Yannick Sagbo latching onto a weighted ball to slot in past Hugo Lloris two minutes before the break.

Lisandro Lopez stepped up to head Lyon back into the lead after 71 minutes but further controversy erupted as two players were sent off in the final five minutes.

Lyon's Clement Grenier was given his marching orders for a dangerous tackle on Aldo Angoula, but both teams finished with 10 men following Fabrice Ehret's dismissal in injury time for a second caution.

Montpellier would have been disappointed to drop points after taking an early lead against Toulouse through Geoffrey Dernis.

But Cheikh M'Bengue found an equaliser for the visitors in the 40th minute, and they held on for a point despite having Franck Tabanou sent off late in the match.

Montpellier remain on top of the table, one point clear of Paris Saint-Germain - who play fourth-placed Lille on Sunday - and two ahead of Lyon.

Elsewhere, Anthony Mounier scored a second-half brace as Nice beat Valenciennes 2-0 while Marseille scored two goals in the final seven minutes to beat Lorient 2-1.

Saint-Etienne jumped to fifth courtesy of a 2-1 win away at Dijon, Florent Sinama Pongolle and former Leeds man Max Gradel with the goals for the winners.

Nancy also had a 2-1 win away from home, against Caen, while Bruno Grougi's penalty was enough to give Brest a 1-0 win over Auxerre.

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Beckham to complete PSG move on Sunday

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham is expected to complete a move to Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, according to reports.

The veteran Englishman has been linked with a transfer to the ambitious French club for several months now, with his contract in the US due to expire on New Year's Eve.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United player has attracted the interested of several Premier League clubs including Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers yet it appears that PSG are winning the race for the famous footballer's signature.

Reports in France state Beckham arrived at Le Bourget airport in Paris on Saturday evening with his family and is likely to attend the side's crunch Ligue 1 encounter versus Lille on Sunday.

France Football believe that Beckham could be presented as a PSG player shortly after the game.

Beckham is expected to sign a contract for 18 months in France as he looks to put himself in the frame for the Team GB Olympic squad.

The player's chances of being included were boosted on Friday when the FA announced no player included in the England Euro 2012 squad would be included in Team GB, with Beckham already frozen out of the national team picture.

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Ligue 1 this week Wrap Up

Ligue 1 table toppers Montpellier slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Valenciennes on Saturday, opening the door for Paris Saint-Germain.

Montpellier headed into their match at Stade du Hainaut on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run in the league and, even though they were away from home, they were highly fancied over their struggling opponents.

But while they had the best of the first half, opportunities from Olivier Giroud and Younes Belhanda failed to find the back of the net, while Foued Kadir and Remi Gomis linked well to create the best early chance for the hosts.

Kadir was involved again early in the second half, and this time his impact finished in the Algerian's second goal of the season.

As expected, Montpellier fought back but impressive performances from Valenciennes goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau and defender David Ducourtioux kept the leaders at bay.

PSG joined Montpellier on points after their 1-0 win at Sochaux, as Antoine Kombouare's side won away for just the second time since September.

Lively forward trio Jeremy Menez, Javier Pastore and Kevin Gameiro caused problems for Sochaux all match, and it was Gameiro who got the game's only goal after 20 minutes.

He had to control a long ball before launching a terrific effort past Sochaux shot-stopper Teddy Richert - with a little help from the post - for his 10th goal of the season in all competitions for PSG.

Other results saw Stade Rennes draw 1-1 with Brest while Nancy and Ajaccio also shared the spoils, with Daniel Niculae getting an injury-time equaliser for the former in a 2-2 draw.

Goals to Banel Nicolita and Bakary Sako helped Saint-Etienne to a 2-0 home success over Caen, and Umut Bulut's last-gasp strike handed Toulouse a 2-1 win over Evian TG.

Marseille and Bordeaux played out a goalless draw.

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PSG to trump Milan for Tevez signature

French giants Paris Saint-Germain are set to trump AC Milan and sign Argentina striker Carlos Tevez, according to a report in Italian newspaper La Repubblica on Thursday.

Milan have made an offer to Manchester City for the rebel forward but that is likely to be rejected by the English Premier League leaders, according to the report.

And La Repubblica claims the wealthy Arab owners of City and PSG are negotiating a deal for the 27-year-old.

Milan want to take Tevez on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy him then but City manager Roberto Mancini has said the Argentine will not be leaving on a temporary deal.

And while Milan are said to have offered around 23 million euros ($30.6m) for a permanent deal, PSG's offer is closer to 30 million euros, says La Repubblica.

The French team are also said to be able to match Tevez's huge salary at City, while he would have to take almost a 50 percent pay-cut to join Milan.

City are owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group, while PSG are owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, and La Repubblica claims there is a pact between the Sheikhs that will see Tevez swap Manchester for Paris rather than Milan.

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Deschamps happy to beat PSG

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps was elated with his team's 3-0 Ligue 1 victory at home over Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.

Goals from Loic Remy, Morgan Amalfitano and Andre Ayew helped Marseille to maximum points and Deschamps was all smiles after the final whistle.

"To beat PSG is quite an achievement. I can smile now. Winning this sort of game is important," he said.

"It is very pleasing to see the team produce a performance like that."

"We needed to be efficient. These kind of games are usually won thanks to the individual talent and technique of the players but they are also won in the head, mentally. So it is very satisfying and the players are happy."

"We have the quality, now we need to show it, we need to be able to link it all together but it is tricky to make the players understand that the team comes first. In France it is all a question of mentality."

Deschamps' opposite number, Antoine Kombouare, said PSG lacked the aggression to trouble their opponents.

"We are really down following the loss, but bravo to Marseille. They played the match they had to," Kombouare said.

"That being said, I was disappointed after the first half and when they opened the scoring. I thought it was against the run of play and felt they didn't really deserve to be ahead.

"The second half left me a bit sour, we had plenty of time to get back into the game. But we lost all the 50-50s and when you start to lose out physically, it becomes very hard."

Marseille sit ninth in the Ligue 1 table with 21 points from 15 games while PSG are second on 30 points, three behind leaders Montpellier.

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Marseille Thrashed PSG 3-0

Marseille Thrashed PSG 3-0,as PSG faced the biggest defeat of the season.

French International Loic Remy started the scoreline,as he scored the first goal of the match in just 9th minute of the game and gave the host a lead.

Midfielder Morgan Amalfitano strike doubles the goal difference for the hosts in the 64th minute.

Andre Ayew scored the third one,when just eight minutes were remaining in the game.

PSG moves to the Second spot after this defeat,while Marseille stands at the ninth spot with 21 points out of their 15 league appearances.

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Nene compares Pastore with Zinedine Zidane

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Nene beleives,the way Pastore plays reminds him of Zidane.

In an interview with Le Parisien,Nene said:

"He reminds me of Zidane."

"He has great dribbing skills and he is also very good at passing."

"He is always thinking about passing the ball to his team-mates, unlike me! He is an extraordinary and simple guy."

Pastore has been a key player for the team,since he joined PSG from Palermo in a €42 million deal in the summer transfer window.

PSG currently are at the second spot in the french league.

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Nicolas N’Koulou Flattered By Arsenal Interest

Marseille defender Nicolas N'Koulou beleives that it is been flattering being linked with the English giants Arsenal. 

Recent great run of form of the Camroon international  has attracted the attention of the various European giants,and the recent name coming up is Arsenal.

In an interview with skysports.com:

“I am flattered by clubs linked with me but, to be honest, I love being with Marseille”

“But once you are linked with clubs such as Arsenal and others, you take notice and it can make you lose your head"

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Remi Garde:Lyon can still qualify

Lyon's coach Remi Garde beleives that his team still got the chance to qualify for the Knock outs.

In an interview after the match Garde said:

"While we are not mathematically out we believe we can qualify. It will be tough, but we can do it"

Lyon faced an goalless draw with Ajax in an Champions league clash on tuesday,and are currently at the third spot of the Group D,while Ajax sit on the second position with three points more and are seven goals superior to the French side.

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Nancy beat PSG 1-0 at Parc des Princes

Nancy shocked the French giants Paris Saint-Germain as they beat them 1-0 at Parc des Princes.

The 49th minute strike by Jean Calve's secured an shocking win for struggling Nancy.

While PSG's unbeated run in the past 12 Ligue matches came to an end.

After having their worst possible start of the season,Nancy have now managed to win three of their last four outings,which looks as they are now going to bounce back in the Ligue,as this win moves them up to the 16 spot,while PSG are still at the top of the Ligue with 30 points.

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David Beckham searching for a house in Paris

Recent reports suggests that the LA Galaxy star David Beckham is searching for a house in the French Capital.

The Sunday Mirror says that the English international is really closed to sign a deal with the qatary owened club Paris Saint Germain.

Wife victoria will visit the Frech Capital to look for some houses in the most stylish area's of the city-the Sixth Arrondissement.

She will also visit some English medium schools for his sons.

Some close family freind told The Sunday Mirror:

David may be coming towards the end of his career but he is still so dedicated to the game and he’s desperate to go out on a high.

“PSG could provide him with the perfect opportunity to do that.

“It will also keep him in the mind of the Olympic Team GB football ­selectors. Being selected is a major priority for him.

“He was there in Singapore with Lord Coe and Tony Blair when we won the bid in 2005 so he feels playing in the tournament would bring him full circle and be a suitable ending to what has been a fantastic career.”

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