体坛英语新闻：Paris Saint-Germain picks Ancelotti as new coach

PARIS, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- French top league club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Friday confirmed its recruitment of Italian veteran coach Carlo Ancelotti to replace the French Antoine Kombouare.

"It's important to thank Kombouare for his professionalism...for what he did for the club. Today we'll start with Ancelotti." Leonardo, the club's sports director said in a press conference.

Ancelotti, 52, will manage PSG for two and a half years to guide the French club to advanced standings in European champions league.

Newly-named Paris St Germain soccer coach Carlo Ancelotti attends a news conference at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris December 30, 2011.

"I'm happy to be in PSG and I accepted to manage it to make it an important club in Europe. PSG has great ambitions and I'm enthusiastic of its projects." the new coach said.

"The target is obviously to win the championship and be competitive for the Champions League next season," he added.

Asked if the proposed high salary was behind his acceptance to manage PSG, former AC Milan and Chelsea coach said "money is important but not the most important thing of the agreement. It represents a part of a project."

Under the sharing accord, Ancelloti will enjoy 500,000 euros (648,552 U.S. dollars) per month, the highest salary in the history of the local top championship.

Unveiling the names of his staff, Ancelotti said former PSG captain and current advisor of the club Claude Makelele was named as his assistant.

Under Ancelotti, PSG will will play a friendly game versus AC Milan in Qatari capital Doha next Wednesday.