Lorient (France) (AFP) – Former France goalkeeper Mickael Landreau has taken the step into coaching, being appointed by Lorient, the second-tier club announced on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old has agreed a four-year deal with Lorient saying in a statement that he will bring “freshness, leadership, his experience and his enthusiasm” to the role.

Landreau replaces Bernard Casoni, under whom Lorient were relegated from Ligue 1 last weekend after losing a two-legged play-off to Troyes, ending an 11-year stay in the top flight.

Landreau won 11 caps for France between 2001 and 2007 and won league titles with Nantes and Lille during a playing career that also took in a spell at Paris Saint-Germain.