Sergio Conceicao appointed new coach at Nantes

Nantes - Relegation-threatened Nantes said Thursday it has appointed former Portugal star Sergio Conceicao to succeed sacked Rene Girard as coach.

The struggling Ligue 1 outfit, eight times league champion, is second bottom of the French league and Girard bit the dust after a 6-0 home hiding last week by Lyon.

Former Porto, Lazio, and Inter Milan star Conceicao, 42, formerly held the reins at Coimbra then Braga in his homeland.

He is expected to be in the stands at the Beaujoire for Saturday's match against drop rivals Caen and the Canaries will officially unveil him Sunday.

Club chairman Waldemar Kita has now appointed no fewer than 12 coaches since taking over the club in 2007.

Conceicao impressed him having taken Braga to a club-best fourth in the table and a domestic cup final.