René Girard (born 4 April 1954) is a French football manager and former player.
 Girard in 2012 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 4 April 1954[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Vauvert, France | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1973–1980 | Nîmes | 202 | (27) |
| 1980–1988 | Bordeaux | 241 | (17) |
| 1988–1991 | Nîmes | 92 | (5) |
| Total | 535 | (49) | |
| International career | |||
| 1981–1982 | France | 7 | (1) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1991–1994 | Nîmes | ||
| 1996–1997 | Pau FC | ||
| 1998 | Strasbourg | ||
| 2002–2003 | France U19 | ||
| 2003–2004 | France U16 | ||
| 2004–2008 | France U21 | ||
| 2009–2013 | Montpellier | ||
| 2013–2015 | Lille | ||
| 2016 | Nantes | ||
| 2018 | Wydad AC | ||
| 2020–2021 | Paris FC | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Early life
Playing career
Girard won seven caps, scoring one goal for France and was a member of the squad that finished fourth at the 1982 World Cup. At club level, while playing for Bordeaux, Girard won three Ligue 1 titles – in 1983–84, 1984–85 and 1986–87, as well as two Coupes de France, over Marseille in the 1986 and 1987 editions.[citation needed]
Coaching career
Girard managed Nîmes, Strasbourg, Pau FC and multiple France youth teams. He coached the France national under-21 team from 2004 to 2008.[citation needed]
On 3 June 2009, he became the new head coach of Montpellier HSC, replacing Rolland Courbis. In the 2011–12 season, Montpellier shocked the footballing world by winning its first Ligue 1 title, finishing the season with 82 points, three more than runner-up Paris Saint-Germain. He said after his team won it. "I think our triumph is a real shot in the arm for French football.[3][4][5] "It just goes to show that everyone can beat everyone and that money isn't the be-all and end-all. We're a club of mates, a club that brings young players through and gives them a chance. "At the end of the day, it's worked out well for us. We played some great football, with a well-balanced team and I'm overwhelmed."[6][7][8]
He signed for Lille in July 2013, replacing Rudi Garcia who left for Roma.[9][10][11]
On 30 September 2018, he was appointed as the head coach of Moroccan club Wydad AC.[12]
Honours
Player
Bordeaux
Manager
Montpellier
References
External links
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