Papin aims at quick Ligue 1 return with Strasbourg

PARIS, May 8 (Reuters) Former European Footballer of the Year Jean-Pierre Papin, who will be relegated Racing Strasbourg's coach next season in Ligue 2, says promotion to the top flight is the only option for the Alsatian side.

Papin, 42, will take over from Jacky Dugueperoux after coaching amateurs FC Bassin Arcachon for the past two years.

''My mission is to lift the club back to Ligue 1 immediately,'' Papin told French sports daily L'Equipe today.

''I will have to make the players believe that it is possible,'' he added.

Papin, voted European Footballer of the Year in 1991, started his international career in 1986 and scored 30 goals in 54 matches for France.

Ligue 1 top scorer from 1988 to 1992 when he was with Olympique Marseille, Papin went on to play for AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Girondins Bordeaux.

Reuters AY GC1656