PARIS (AFP) - Francis Gillot has been appointed coach of French first division strugglers Sochaux, the club announced on Monday.

The 47-year-old takes over the position on January 2. He replaces Frederic Hantz who was sacked as the club sit second-from-bottom of the league.

Gillot previously coached French first division side Lens and Al-Ayn of the United Arab Emirates.

A former Valenciennes, Lens, Strasbourg and Mulhouse player, Gillot led the Sochaux youth side from 1996-2003, winning the French under-17 title.

"This is a real challenge I am taking on," said Gillot. "By coming here I intend to boost the team. We have 19 matches to go and we'll need to start doing well on the season run-in and to believe in ourselves.

"We'll all need to work hard and give our all."