CHENNAI: Italian World Cup winner Marco Materazzi has been signed up by Chennai Titans as their marquee manager for the forthcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season.

TOI was the first to report that Materazzi was in line for the manager's post.

The 41-year-old defender, who is famous for being headbutted by French legend Zinedine Zidane during the 2006 World Cup final, will play the role of a player manager. However, the club will have a different marquee player, it is reliably learnt.

Regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, Materazzi retired from Inter Milan in 2011. He is said to have signed a three-month contract from October to January worth $1 million.

Malouda and Forlan on team's radar

Frenchman Florent Malouda and Uruguayan great Diego Forlan are top contenders to become Chennai's marquee players. Negotiations with Malouda, 34, who is currently a free agent after his contract with Turkish side Trabzonspor expired, are in an advanced stage.

However, the Chennai representatives are looking at options if they can buy out Uruguayan superstar Diego Forlan's contract with Japanese side Cerezi Osaka. The 35-year-old received the Golden Ball during the 2010 World Cup and was also part of the Uruguay side that made the second round in Brazil this year.