Pascal Chimbonda says he is inspired by Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Zinedine Zidane and Diego Simeone after being appointed manager of non-league Skelmersdale United.

They are 10 points adrift at the foot of the table after taking just three points from their first 16 games.

“This is a very proud day for me,” said Chimbonda, 44.

“It is a great honour to become manager of a Club with a history as rich as that of Skelmersdale United Football Club.

“I’ve been inspired by Guardiola, Mourinho, Simeone and Zidane, and as such just like those great managers, my philosophy will be to play attractive football.”

Chimbonda also played for clubs including Sunderland, Blackburn, QPR, Carlisle and Doncaster during his career. He earned one international cap for France and was part of their squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

His first game in charge is against Kendal Town in the Macron Cup on Wednesday.

The club finished 11th in the Northern Premier League Division One West last season, tier eight in the English football pyramid, but were relegated because their ground did not meet Football Association ground grading regulations.

“We are extremely pleased to announce that Pascal has agreed to join one of the most prestigious clubs in non-league football,” said Skelmersdale United chairman Frank Hughes.

“We’ve set out to create a philosophy that will continue throughout the ages. We are going to be the standard bearers for great football, because that is what our supporters demand, and is exactly what they deserve.

“This is a major coup for the club, and we are very excited about the future.”