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Paris. Paris Saint-Germain sports director Leonardo has informed club manager Antoine Kombouare that he has been fired, a day after Kombouare’s side went to the top of the French first division, a source close to the coach said on Thursday.

“Antoine was informed he was being sacked [on Thursday] by Leonardo,” the source said, adding that the manager’s assistants were also being fired.

Kombouare, who took over as coach of the Paris club in May 2009, coming from Valenciennes to replace Paul le Guen, had already told close friends that he had lost his job, the source said.

PSG issued a statement later on Thursday appearing to confirm the development.

“Paris Saint-Germain and their manager Antoine Kombouare clarify that they are calmly holding talks which will be concluded shortly and which will enable each side to preserve their own interests,” it said.

His sacking came the day after PSG moved back to the top of the French first division with a 1-0 win at St. Etienne in the final round of matches before the winter break.

Kombouare’s position, however, had been under threat for several weeks as Leonardo held talks with Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has been out of work since being fired by Chelsea in May.

Others mentioned as possible replacements are Dutchman Frank Rijkaard and former PSG midfielder Claude Makelele.

A former player with the club, Kombouare enjoyed mixed success as coach. The club finished fourth in the league last year and reached the final of the French Cup, where it lost to league champion Lille.

But the expectations all changed in the close season when the club was bought by Qatar Sports Investments.

QSI president Nasser Al-Khelaifi promised “to make the club a great team and a strong brand on the international scene.”

They promptly spent 85 million euros ($111 million) in the summer to attract new talent, including 42 million euros for midfielder Javier Pastore.

Recently, Leonardo has been in talks to bring David Beckham to play in Paris on a huge salary, although there has yet to be an official announcement on his arrival.

PSG, meanwhile, crashed out of the French League Cup and the Europa League and struggled for league points in November before rediscovering its form in the last two weeks.

Agence France-Presse