Bordeaux appoint Brazilian Ricardo
 |  Ricardo returns to French football after a lengthy spell in his native Brazil. |
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BORDEAUX, France -- Former Brazilian international defender Ricardo has taken over as coach of French first division Girondins Bordeaux, the club announced on Friday.
The 40-year-old, who played for Paris St Germain and then coached the Paris side from 1996 to 1998, has been without a club since being sacked by Brazilian side Flamengo last November.
Ricardo replaces Michel Pavon, who stepped down on Monday for health reasons.
He is back in France seven years after leaving PSG which he lead to the French Cup and League Cup titles in 1998.
Capped 37 times for Brazil, Ricardo went on to coach Brazilian sides Recife, Vitoria, Guarani, Coritiba, Juventude, Fluminense and Flamengo, as well as the national Olympic team between 2002 and 2004.
Bordeaux, meanwhile, struggled last season, finishing 15th in the 20-team French league just two points above the relegation zone after winning just eight of their 38 games.
Reuters contributed to this report.
