Football in brief: Houllier in line for top France position

France: The French football authorities are considering employing someone to work alongside Raymond Domenech at the helm of
Les Bleus.

Domenech has come under fire in France despite qualifying for next summer's World Cup finals. The France Football Federation (FFF) confirmed last week that there was no question of a change of coach. However, a meeting was held last Thursday by Club France – an organisation created as an advisory board by the FFF and consisting of some of the most influential men in football in France – where it was decided to discuss bringing in a general manager and a director of sport.

"We have to consider all the solutions so that the France team stirs up passion once again," said Jean-Pierre Louvel, president of the union of professional football clubs. "Not to do anything would be a lacking of our responsibilities."

Club France is likely to propose installing Gervais Martel as general manager and Gérard Houllier as director of sport when the FFF meets on 29 January.

Yates seals return to Cheltenham to take over manager's job

Cheltenham: The League Two club have appointed Mark Yates as manager. The Robins have agreed a compensation package with the Blue Square Premier side Kidderminster for Yates and assistant Neil Howarth to link up at Whaddon Road. Yates was Cheltenham's captain when they won the 2002 League Two play-off final. Howarth will take the role of first-team coach, with acting manager John Schofield becoming Yates' No 2.