Carlos Ghosn has resigned as chairman and chief executive of Renault, according to French🐻 finance minister Bruno Le Maire.

During a television inꦐterview with Bloomberg, Le Maire revealed Ghosn has stepped down from his role a🎉t the French automotive group to set up a “new governance in place”.

“Carlos Ghosn just resigned and now it is time to define and to put a new governance in place,” . “Because what is the most important thing is to prepare the future of Renault and the future of t🐭he alliance.”

Reports have also confirmed the company’s board will meet today (January 24) to appoint a replacement for Ghosn, as p✃art of its bid to sustain its long-standing alliance with Nissan.

The management change comes less🐎 than one week on f🅘rom the unexpected departure of Thierry Koskas who was due to replace Jer💃ome Stoll as head of the Renault Sport programme. Stoll, who was set to retire in 2019, will instead continue his top role as the Formula 1 team begins the second stage of rebuilding its programme.

Koskas had been due to report directly to Ghosn but, initiall,y the two departures are not tho๊ught to be connected.

Renault is bidding to close the gap to the trio of Mercedes, Ferrari and R💫ed Bull in 2019 and🤡 has persuaded Daniel Ricciardo to join its ranks alongside team regular Nico Hulkenberg.

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The Enstone squad has also bolstered its 𒐪technical department with the signing of ex-FIA man Marcin Budkowski, who began work w♛ith Renault early last season. Yesterday (January 23) Renault officially launched its 2019 driver academy programme at Enstone.

Ghosn had been set for an early Renault exit following his arrest after being accused by Japanese authorities of financial misconduct. In the interim period deputy CEO Thierry Bollore has tak🗹en over Ghosn’s responsibilities and is expected to take the head role following the next Renault board meeting.