Tigana returns to manage in France with Bordeaux

After three years in the managerial wilderness, Jean Tigana has been handed the task of helping Bordeaux back onto the European stage.

The former Fulham manager, who has not had a major coaching job since leaving Besiktas with two games left in the 2007 season, will replace France coach-elect Laurent Blanc.

"It was my heart's choice. I would not have come back to [coaching] in France if it was any team but Bordeaux," Tigana, who played for the club between 1981 to 1989, said yesterday.

His task, however, will be tricky as Bordeaux, who finished sixth in Ligue 1 and failed to qualify for Europe, have already lost striker Marouane Chamakh to Arsenal. "I know that it will be a tough challenge," said Tigana, 54. "We will try to be intelligent. Maybe we will need to have fewer players in the squad and rely on our young prospects."