Baždarević steps into Sochaux vacancy

FC Sochaux-Montbéliard have appointed Mehmed Baždarević as their new coach following Francis Gillot's departure to FC Girondins de Bordeaux earlier this week.

The 50-year-old returns to Sochaux where he played between 1987 and 1996 and also started his coaching career as an assistant. Baždarević, who won 54 caps for Yugoslavia – a team he captained – and two more for Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been a head coach since 2003, most recently at AC Arles-Avignon. Having taken charge mid-season, he could not prevent the Provence club finishing bottom of Ligue 1.

"He has experience and knowledge fitting the demands of the job," said a statement from Sochaux, who will enter next season's UEFA Europa League in the play-off round after finishing fifth. "The desire of the squad's senior figures to work with him was another factor in his favour."