Rome, July 11:

Didier Deschamps signed a two-year contract on Monday to coach Juventus, which faces demotion and being stripped of its last two Serie A titles in the Italian match-fixing scandal.

The former Juventus midfielder, who captained France to the 1998 World Cup title, replaces Fabio Capello after his resignation last week to coach Real Madrid.

In June, Juventus officials met with Deschamps, who said he was interested in coaching even if it is demoted.

The Italian soccer federation’s sports trial ended last week with AC Milan, Fiorentina, Lazio and 25 soccer officials also facing charges. Verdicts are expected this week.

Juventus’ former chief executive Antonio Giraudo and ex-general manager Luciano Moggi are at the centre of the scandal.