Sagnol handed first top-flight job at Bordeaux
Friday, May 23, 2014
Article summary
Willy Sagnol will leave his role as France Under-21 coach next month to take charge of FC Girondins de Bordeaux on a three-year deal, succeeding Francis Gillot.
Article top media content
Article body
Willy Sagnol will make his Ligue 1 coaching debut next season after being appointed by FC Girondins de Bordeaux on a three-year contract.
The former AS Saint-Étienne, AS Monaco FC and FC Bayern München right-back has left his role as France Under-21 trainer to succeed Francis Gillot, who led Les Marine et Blanc to French Cup glory in 2013.
Under Sagnol's tutelage, the U21s have a maximum 18 points in their 2013–15 UEFA European Championship qualifying group. He will take charge of the squad for the final time when they play Singapore in a friendly early next month.
Sagnol said: "I have ambitions for the club – ambitions for the players and to aim high." Under another ex-France defender, Laurent Blanc, Bordeaux ended Olympique Lyonnais' run of seven straight titles when they finished top of the pile in 2008/09. "Bordeaux are a club with certain values," Sagnol added. "I'm happy to work here."
The 37-year-old – ever-present in Les Bleus' run to the 2006 FIFA World Cup final – retired from playing in February 2009 due to an achilles tendon injury. A UEFA Champions League winner with Bayern in 2001, he inherits a Bordeaux squad that came seventh last term, 18 points adrift of the front three.
