PSG confirms Blanc departure

French Ligue 1 champion Paris Saint-Germain confirmed Monday that Laurent Blanc is leaving Parc des Princes after three-year service.

"After three seasons at the head of the first team, Laurent Blanc left Paris Saint-Germain today," read a press release of Les Parisiens.

"In a respectful atmosphere, negotiations were completed on 27 June. An agreement, by common accord, preserves the interests of both parties," it added.

No financial details have been disclosed.

Blanc guided PSG to finish 31 points ahead of second-placed Lyon last season to roll his total collection to 11 trophies, including two national quadruples, but failed to win Champions League glory with a best result of reaching European quarterfinals in the last four years.

The former France captain and manager signed a two-year extension to his contract in February, committing himself to the Paris club until June 2018.

According to PSG, assistant coach Jean-Louis Gasset and head fitness trainer Philippe Lambert also leave the capital side as part of the agreement.

Also striker and talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic is leaving the club when his contract expires on June 30, which is confirmed last month.

The four-straight-time French champion, whose only other two title-winning campaigns in the local top flight soccer league were respectively 22 and 30 years ago, declared that the club decides "to head in a new direction for the management of the first team" .

"It wishes to thank Laurent Blanc and expresses its gratitude for the work accomplished over the last three years by Laurent and his staff," it said in the announcement.

"As we embark on a new chapter in the development of the club, I would like to thank Laurent Blanc for everything he has achieved over the last three years, both in terms of the playing style and results," declared PSG chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

"I wish him the best for his future challenges," said the Qatari. Endit