Paris, June 26 (IANS) Marco Simone, former striker with AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco, has been named the new coach of French second-tier club Tours.

The former Italy international had been linked with becoming the assistant coach at Ligue 1 side Rennes but has decided to take up the challenge at the modest club where the likes of Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny spent time earlier in their careers, reported Xinhua news agency.

Simone, 46, used to play Monaco when they were in Ligue 2 in the 2011-12 season.