Italian confident of delivering success domestically and in Europe for new club

PARIS - Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday he was highly motivated by the challenge of making French Ligue 1 giant Paris Saint Germain a major force, not just domestically but also in Europe.

The 52-year-old Italian - twice a Champions League winner as a player and as a coach with AC Milan - was speaking after being unveiled as the club's new coach.

His appointment had been heavily flagged, but Antoine Kombouare will consider himself unfortunate to have been sacked after guiding PSG to the top of the table and in contention for what would be only its third league title and first since 1994.

However, his days were numbered once mega-rich Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) bought the club and was clearly keen on securing the services of a higher-profile coach such as Ancelotti, who was available after being sacked by Chelsea at the end of last season.

Ancelotti made it clear he was intent on delivering the success the ambitious Qataris are looking for.

"We have huge ambitions, naturally we want to win the title, we want to play in the Champions League and do the best possible in that," said the Italian, who delivered the domestic double to Chelsea in 2010 but was sacked after failing to lift a trophy the following season.

"The discussion is not: 'First is good, Second is not good', the project is bigger than that.

"The objective is to grow, that the club is both competitive in France and especially in Europe.

"I have a huge responsibility, because the team is first."

Ancelotti, who was a solid midfielder in his playing days and was capped more than 20 times including the 1990 World Cup where Italy reached the semifinals, said he wouldn't make sweeping changes to the style of play.

"I have not come here to turn things upside down," he said.

"It is never easy to take over a club when the championship is already underway. The team is top, and has put in several good performances. I am here to add my knowledge and experience.

"My philosophy is to put out on the pitch an organized team, who defend and attack well.

"PSG have the quality players to play in a nice style, especially up front.

"We can bring certain new touches, but I want to deliver a dynamic and pleasing style."

Ancelotti, who started his press conference in French with a few well rehearsed words before saying he would learn French as quickly as possible, said he had been persuaded to end his absence from the dugout because he saw PSG clearly had huge plans.

He also said to be reunited with PSG sporting director Leonardo after sharing experiences with him at AC Milan had also been a factor.

"I am happy, Leonardo was a player under me at Milan and then a director, and we maintained an extremely good personal rapport," said the Italian, who also announced also that former France international midfielder Claude Makelele would be his assistant.

"It is why I came here in November, we didn't even talk about developing a plan here together.

"We have huge responsiblities, because the club has huge ambition, but it is also a nice responsibility to have, because the challenge is highly motivating.

"I have been offered the opportunity of raising the profile of a club with a huge tradition and that wants to play a mjor role in European competition."

Ancelotti, who said he would primarily be coach on the ground but would also have his say about transfer targets in the upcoming transfer window, said he was hoping his stay in France was as enjoyable as the one he had in England.

"When I speak of England, I speak of the atmosphere in general, which is like that of having a well-behaved child around, there is no violence, the people are happy to go to the stadium, it is different to other countries, like Italy," he said.

"In France I just don't know, I will discover what it is like.

"I think I have done a good job both at Milan and at Chelsea, I hope I will do so at PSG.

"When I left Italy (in 2009), I was preoccupied, I did not know how things were going to turn out, but it was a really great experience, I think it will be the same in France.

"To get to know a new country and its way of life is stimulating."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 01/01/2012 page11)