Liverpool will add a second Frenchman to their managerial team next week with the appointment of former Lens coach Patrice Bergues.
He has been recommended to the Merseysiders by his compatriot and new joint Anfield boss Gerard Houllier.
Bergues has worked under Houllier for the past two years during the former France coach's previous job as French technical director.
The club have a vacancy in their backroom team following Wednesday's announcement that chief coach Ronnie Moran is retiring, but Bergues is not expected to be a direct replacement for him.
It is not clear what role Bergues will be given as yet and Liverpool confirmed yesterday that Doug Livermore would remain assistant manager.
Meanwhile, triumphant World Cup coach Aime Jacquet is staying with the French team, but will move to the position of Director of Coaching, the position vacated by Houllier, the French Football Federation announced yesterday.
The French are expected next week to name another prominent member of the current coaching staff, Roger Lemerre, as successor to Jacquet as coach.
Back in England, Jesper Blomqvist may turn down Manchester United because he does not want to play second fiddle to Ryan Giggs.
The Swedish international winger is mulling over a move to Old Trafford after United agreed terms with his club Parma. But Blomqvist is concerned that he will not be a first-team regular at United.
The 24-year-old can operate on either flank, but United boss Alex Ferguson claims he is "better on the left", which puts him in direct competition with Giggs.
Blomqvist is aware of this and does not want to sit on the substitutes' bench like he did for much of his unhappy 12-month spell at AC Milan.
Ferguson remains optimistic however that he will conclude the deal for Blomqvist, believed to be worth around £5 million, and will soon tie up a deal for Lens and Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe.
Meanwhile, Martin Edwards has denied reports from Spain that Real Madrid have asked United to name their price for troubled star David Beckham.
Frank and Ronald de Boer have appealed to the Dutch football association's arbitration council in a bid to cut short their contract with Ajax.
The 27-year-old twins want to part company with the club before their contract runs out in 2004, but the club management plan to fight the case all the way and have already turned down a number of offers, including one from Arsenal.
Ronaldo yesterday appealed for people to stop blaming Brazil's World Cup Final defeat on his below-par performance.
"I accept my part for the responsibility of our defeat, but it's not necessary to rest everything on my back. I really wanted to bring the Cup back to Brazil," he said.
