Willy David Frédéric Sagnol (born 18 March 1977) is a French professional football manager and former player who played as a defender. He is currently the manager of the Georgia national team.

Willy Sagnol
Sagnol in 2007
Personal information
Full name Willy David Frédéric Sagnol[1]
Date of birth (1977-03-18) 18 March 1977 (age 47)[2]
Place of birth Saint-Étienne, France
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[3]
Position(s) Right back
Team information
Current team
Georgia (manager)
Youth career
1990–1995 Saint-Étienne
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1997 Saint-Étienne 46 (1)
1997–2000 Monaco 71 (0)
2000–2009 Bayern Munich 184 (7)
2003–2008 Bayern Munich II 3 (0)
Total 304 (8)
International career
1997 France U20 5 (0)
2000–2008 France 58 (0)
Managerial career
2011–2013 France (technical director)
2013 France U20 (interim)
2013–2014 France U21
2014–2016 Bordeaux
2017 Bayern Munich (assistant)
2017 Bayern Munich (interim)
2021– Georgia
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  France
FIFA Confederations Cup
Winner 2001
Winner 2003
FIFA World Cup
Runner-up 2006
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Sagnol spent much of his professional career playing for Bayern Munich in Germany's Bundesliga. He was also part of the French squad at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship, 2002 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2004, 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008.

As a manager, he had a two-year period in charge of Bordeaux before being appointed as coach of Georgia in 2021, subsequently leading them to their first ever major tournament by qualifying for UEFA Euro 2024.

Club career

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Sagnol first made his way in the world of football at his father's former club in Haute-Loire, Montfaucon-en-Velay where he developed his defensive game at right back, as well as performing exceptionally on the right side of midfield.[citation needed]

Saint-Étienne

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From Montfaucon he progressed, eventually joining the region's flagship club Saint-Étienne.

Monaco

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An impressive two-year spell saw him earn a transfer to Monaco in 1997. With Monaco, he experienced his first taste of success, winning Division 1 in 2000. Sagnol also played in Jean Tigana's talented Monaco team which knocked Manchester United out of the UEFA Champions League in 1998 on away goals after a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford.[4] His form saw him pressing for a call up to represent France internationally, but he was initially overlooked by national coach Roger Lemerre.[citation needed]

Bayern Munich

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In the summer of 2000, Sagnol transferred to German club Bayern Munich, and did not take long to break into the first team. A solid defender but also equally comfortable operating in attacking positions (often as a wing back), Sagnol's superb crossing ability marked him out as a key player in Bayern's attacking play.[citation needed] With the Bavarian club, he won the Bundesliga in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008; the UEFA Champions League in 2001; and the DFB-Pokal in 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008.

Because of continuing problems with his Achilles tendon, Sagnol announced his retirement from playing on 1 February 2009.[5]

International career

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At international level, he had less success, often finding himself on the bench playing second fiddle to Lilian Thuram on the right side of the French defence. It was not until the retirement of Marcel Desailly and Thuram's consequent move into the centre of the French defence that Sagnol finally became first-choice right back in 2004, and remained there for the next four years.[citation needed]

Sagnol was part of France's squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, starting each of his country's seven games en route to the final. His competent performances, aided by France's progression to the final led to him being named as one of the outstanding defensive performers in the tournament. He saved his best display for the biggest stage of them all, the World Cup final, and was one of the better performers in a game largely remembered for off-the-ball events rather than on-the-field performances. Indeed, Sagnol's name could have been immortalised had his strong effort on goal not been successfully repelled by Gianluigi Buffon. Nonetheless, his performance was notable for a solid defensive contribution as well as important involvement in several attacking moves, such as when he provided a cross for his captain Zinedine Zidane, whose header was again saved by Buffon. Sagnol also took and scored the final spot kick for France in the shoot-out, which they lost 5–3.[citation needed]

In the qualification campaign for UEFA Euro 2008, fans saw a completely new side of Sagnol. On several occasions, Sagnol had good efforts on goal as well as still supplying his trademark crosses for teammates like Thierry Henry against Scotland at Hampden Park on 7 October 2006. Sagnol was one of his country's better performers in France's shock loss, having three efforts on goal from his right back spot, one in particular forcing a save from Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon. The following match, against the Faroe Islands in Paris, was his 50th for his country. His displays in that qualification campaign once more provided proof that Sagnol could be counted on for his consistent defensive play and also to provide extra quality when joining the attack.[citation needed]

Coaching career

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Girondins de Bordeaux

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Sagnol was head coach of the France national under-21 team until he was appointed head coach of Girondins de Bordeaux on 23 May 2014.[6] He signed a two-year contract[6] which expired on 30 June 2016.[7] Girondins de Bordeaux originally wanted Zinedine Zidane as their head coach.[6] This was Sagnol's first coaching job at club level.[6] In Sagnol's first season, Bordeaux finished sixth in Ligue 1,[8] the round of 32 in the Coupe de France,[9] and the round of 16 in the Coupe de la Ligue.[9] The season included a 4–1 win against Monaco, 3–2 win against Paris Saint-Germain, and a 5–0 loss to Olympique Lyonnais.[9]

In the 2015–16 season, Bordeaux defeated AEK Larnaca and Kairat Almaty to qualify for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.[10] Bordeaux started the league season with a win, four draws, and a loss.[10] On matchday seven, on 23 September 2015, Bordeaux lost to Nice 6–1.[11]

Sagnol was dismissed on 14 March 2016 after a 4–0 loss to Toulouse in the Derby de la Garonne.[12]

Bayern Munich

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On 9 June 2017, Sagnol re-joined Bayern Munich as an assistant coach under Carlo Ancelotti.[13] Ancelotti was dismissed by the club on 28 September 2017 and Sagnol was announced as interim manager.[14] After managing Bayern for eight days[15] and one match[15] (a 2–2 draw against Hertha BSC),[16] Sagnol left the club when permanent manager Jupp Heynckes and his assistants Peter Hermann and Hermann Gerland were announced.[17]

Georgia

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Sagnol was appointed the manager of the Georgia national team on 15 February 2021.[18] In 2024, he led them to their first ever major international tournament, UEFA Euro 2024, after defeating Greece in the qualifying play-off final on penalties.[19] He led Georgia to the knockout stage of the final tournament following a 2–0 victory against Portugal in the last group game.[20]

Personal life

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He is married and has four children.[21]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[22][23]
Club Season League National Cup[a] Continental[b] Other[c] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Saint-Étienne 1995–96 Division 1 10 0 10 0
1996–97 Division 2 36 1 36 1
Total 46 1 46 1
Monaco 1997–98 Division 1 25 0 8 0 33 0
1998–99 Division 1 20 0 4 0 24 0
1999–2000 Division 1 26 0 2 0 6 0 2 0 36 0
Total 71 0 2 0 18 0 2 0 93 0
Bayern Munich 2000–01 Bundesliga 27 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 29 0
2001–02 Bundesliga 28 1 1 0 10 0 2 0 41 1
2002–03 Bundesliga 23 2 5 1 4 0 1 0 33 3
2003–04 Bundesliga 21 1 3 0 6 0 0 0 30 1
2004–05 Bundesliga 22 1 3 0 7 0 0 0 32 1
2005–06 Bundesliga 31 1 5 0 7 0 1 0 44 1
2006–07 Bundesliga 23 1 3 0 0 0 2 0 28 1
2007–08 Bundesliga 9 0 3 0 5 0 0 0 17 0
2008–09 Bundesliga 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 184 7 24 1 39 0 7 0 254 8
Bayern Munich II 2003–04 Regionalliga Süd 1 0 1 0
2004–05 Regionalliga Süd 0 0 1 0 1 0
2007–08 Regionalliga Süd 2 0 2 0
Total 3 0 1 0 4 0
Career total 304 8 27 1 57 0 9 0 397 9

Coaching record

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As of match played 19 November 2024
Team From To Record
M W D L GF GA GD Win % Ref.
France U20 1 June 2013 10 June 2013 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !
France U21 1 July 2013 30 June 2014 8 6 2 0 23 0 +23 075.00
Girondins de Bordeaux 1 July 2014[6] 14 March 2016[12] 88 35 28 25 117 118 −1 039.77 [9][10]
Bayern Munich (interim) 28 September 2017[14] 6 October 2017[15] 1 0 1 0 2 2 +0 000.00 [15][16]
Georgia 15 February 2021 present 44 19 8 17 70 60 +10 043.18 [24]
Total 141 60 39 42 212 186 +26 042.55

Honours

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Monaco

Bayern Munich

France

References

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  1. ^ "Willy Sagnol Sports (06310)". Figaro Emploi (in French). 19 August 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
    "Willy Sagnol". Verif (in French). Archived from the original on 9 September 2023.
  2. ^ "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: France" (PDF). FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2019.
  3. ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Willy Sagnol (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Monaco and bust for sorry United". The Independent. London. 19 March 1998. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  5. ^ "Sagnol hört auf, 'aber mein Herz bleibt hier'" [Sagnol retires, 'but my heart stays here'] (in German). FC Bayern Munich. 1 February 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Willy Sagnol: Bordeaux appoint former France defender as coach". BBC Sport. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  7. ^ "Sagnol wird Trainer in Bordeaux". kicker (in German). Olympia-Verlag. 23 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  8. ^ "France " Ligue 1 2014/2015 " 38. Round". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  9. ^ a b c d "Girondins Bordeaux " Fixtures & Results 2014/2015". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  10. ^ a b c "Girondins Bordeaux " Fixtures & Results 2015/2016". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  11. ^ "France " Ligue 1 2015/2016 " 7. Round " OGC Nice – Girondins Bordeaux 6:1". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  12. ^ a b "Bordeaux part ways with under-fire coach Willy Sagnol". ESPN FC. PA Sport. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  13. ^ "Willy Sagnol appointed new assistant coach". FC Bayern Munich. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  14. ^ a b "Carlo Ancelotti: Bayern Munich sack Italian manager". BBC Sport. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  15. ^ a b c d "Bayern München – Trainerhistorie". kicker (in German). Olympia-Verlag. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  16. ^ a b "Auch Sagnols Bayern geben ein 2:0 aus der Hand". kicker (in German). Olympia-Verlag. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  17. ^ "Jupp Heynckes appointed Bayern coach until end of season". FC Bayern Munich. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  18. ^ "Sagnol: We have no chance if we don't take risks". FIFA. 23 March 2021.
  19. ^ "Sagnol: It's all or nothing to Georgians". FIFA. 10 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Georgia stuns Portugal to reach Euro 2024 knockout stages in first major international tournament". CNN. 26 June 2024.
  21. ^ "Sagnol forced to call it a day". UEFA. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
  22. ^ "Willy Sagnol " Club matches". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  23. ^ "Willy SAGNOL – Football : la fiche de Willy SAGNOL". L'Équipe (in French). Paris. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  24. ^ "აღმასრულებელმა კომიტეტმა ეროვნული ნაკრების მთავარი მწვრთნელი დაამტკიცა". gff.ge (in Georgian). 15 February 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
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