Paul Le Guen

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Le Guen was born in Pencran, Finistère. During his playing career, he played at Brest for five years and Nantes Atlantique for two years, before leaving his home region of Brittany for Paris Saint-Germain. In seven seasons at the Parc des Princes, he made 478 appearances, winning a league title, three French Cups, two League Cups and the Cup Winners' Cup medal in 1996. Le Guen scored the winning goal in the 1995 Coupe de France Final against Strasbourg. At international level, Le Guen played 17 times for France, due to injuries and he was part of the team which lost out on a trip to the 1994 FIFA World Cup, along with Eric Cantona and David Ginola. He ended his playing career by taking part in a friendly where Brittany faced Cameroon on 21 May 1998. The match finished in a 1–1 draw. As a manager, he led Olympique Lyonnais to three consecutive Ligue 1 titles. He has also managed Stade Rennais, Paris Saint-Germain, Rangers, the Cameroon national team, the Oman national team, Bursaspor and Le Havre. In July 2016, he was to be named manager of the Nigeria national team, but didn't agree to the contract terms.

In Their Own Story

In January 2007, Le Guen returned to PSG as first team coach, replacing Guy Lacombe. The situation was dire; the club lay 17th in Ligue 1. Le Guen steered them to safety, finishing 15th that season. However, inconsistency plagued the 2007–08 campaign, and by late March with four games remaining, PSG sat in the relegation zone. Amidst this struggle, he secured a trophy, beating Lens 2–1 to win the Coupe de la Ligue, which guaranteed a UEFA Cup spot for 2008–09. He also led them to the Coupe de France final. Despite these cup runs, inconsistent league form persisted, and on 5 May 2009, PSG announced he would not be offered a new contract, ending his second stint with the club.

Reader's Guide

Le Guen's managerial career included a stint at Paris Saint-Germain from January 2007 to the end of the 2008–09 season. He replaced Guy Lacombe when PSG were 17th in Ligue 1 and led them to safety, finishing 15th. In the 2007–08 season, PSG won the Coupe de la Ligue (beating Lens 2–1) and reached the Coupe de France final. PSG announced on 5 May 2009 that Le Guen would not be offered a new contract and would leave at the end of the season.

Did You Know?

• Le Guen scored the winning goal in the 1995 Coupe de France Final against Strasbourg.
• Le Guen made 478 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain in all competitions.
• Le Guen won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with PSG in 1996.
• Le Guen was the first Catholic to manage Rangers, a team with a historically Protestant identity.
• Le Guen ran the Marathon des Sables in the Moroccan desert in 2006.