Former France coach Michel dies aged 70

Joe Wright

Former France coach Michel dies aged 70 image

Former France international and head coach Henri Michel has died at the age of 70.

The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed the news on Tuesday, with president Noel Le Graet hailing his "remarkable career as a player and coach".

"It is with great sadness that the French Football Federation learned this morning of the passing of Henri Michel," Le Graet said. "We send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."

Michel spent most of his playing career with Nantes, where he won three Ligue 1 titles. He also earned 58 caps for the national team, scoring four goals.

As a coach, Michel won gold with the France team at the 1984 Olympics and took the senior side to the semi-finals of the World Cup two years later.

He was also coach of Cameroon, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Kenya.

Michel also worked briefly with Paris Saint-Germain and took in spells with Al Nassr, Aris Thessaloniki, Raja Casablanca, Al-Arabi, Zamalek and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Joe Wright

Joe Wright Photo

Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News. He was previously a sub editor and writer for Goal.com before spending six years as part of the Stats Perform editorial news service, covering major global sports including football, tennis, boxing, NBA, rugby union and athletics. Joe has reported live on some of the biggest games in football, including two UEFA Champions League finals, Euro 2016, the Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 World Cup final at the end of a month in Russia.