It's My Way or the Highway, Warns New France Davis Cup Captain Yannick Noah

Newly-appointed France Davis Cup captain Yannick Noah has warned his players that they will have to toe the line if they want to be picked in future.

The 55-year-old former tennis player-turned-singer has been appointed France captain for a third time by the French Tennis Federation in place of Arnaud Clement, who was sacked last week.

And he told a press conference on Tuesday he intended to use a firm hand to steer France to a tenth Davis Cup title and first since 2001.

"Yes, you have to show leadership," Noah told journalists at Roland Garros, where he won his only Grand Slam title in 1983.

"We need a well-defined structure. From the moment the structure is set, anyone who steps outside, is out," he warned.

"There will be not one, not two, not three warnings. When we say things, we do things.

"I have a clear plan. The players adhere."

The last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, Noah captained the team to Davis Cup victory in 1991 and 1996.

The team were defeated by Great Britain in the quarter-finals this year and last lifted the trophy in 2001 having lost three finals -- against Russia (2002), Serbia (2010) and Switzerland (2014). Clement had been in charge since 2013.

Noah also captained the French Fed Cup team to victory, the first for the country, in 1997.

He said he had spoken to players including Gilles Simon, Richard Gasquet, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils.

"The unanimity of the players was essential to return (to the team)," continued Noah, adding that he was "excited" by the challenge.

"I want all the players to be involved. I want them to know how we're going to function.

"I hope to refocus, rearrange some things. I firmly believe that I can do it. I've spoken with the players and I'm very confident."

He continued: "I've not yet seen everyone. I'll have the opportunity to see a maximum in Bercy in November (at the Paris Masters). We're lucky to have a little time as the first round will take place in March."

- 'Should be fun, I think' -

World number 10 Simon said he was "impatient" to work with Noah, who can bring "something new, different" to the team.

"I see a lot of positive (in what Noah says). I'm interested in seeing how it works," added Simon, 30, who was not born when Noah won the French Open.

"We'll see, it should be fun, I think."

Last week Simon criticised the lack of respect shown to Clement when he was sacked by the French tennis federation.